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Significance of Electrocardiographic Isolated Abnormal Terminal P-Wave Force (Left Atrial Abnormality)An Echocardiographic and Clinical Correlation
Liren Jin, MD;
Allen B. Weisse, MD;
Fernando Hernandez, MD;
Theresa Jordan, PhD
Arch Intern Med. 1988;148(7):1545-1549.
Abstract
• An abnormal terminal negative deflection in precordial lead V1 (PTFV1) is occasionally present as an isolated electrocardiographic finding. To determine the significance of this, 41 patients with PTFV1 greater than or equal to 0.04 mms were recalled for a repeated electrocardiogram as well as an echocardiographic examination. Patients were classified as cardiovascular normal (n=15) or abnormal (n=26). Left atrial enlargement was the most common echocardiographic abnormality found, but represented less than a third of the total. P-wave prolongation (>110 ms) was present in 30 of the 41 patients and 21 of the 26 abnormal patients. This persisted into the second study, while the PTFV1 fell significantly in both the normal and abnormal groups. Among the P-wave abnormalities found, combinations were used to identify patients most likely to have cardiovascular disease. The most discriminating was an initial abnormal PTFV1 in combination with P-wave prolongation (sensitivity, 82%; specificity, 40%; positive predictive value, 70%; and negative predictive value, 55%). Maximal specificity (93%) and positive predictive value (88%) were achieved when P-wave prolongation and PTFV1 greater than or equal to 0.06 mms were present in both studies, although the sensitivity for this criterion was only 27%. The isolated P-wave abnormality described may be helpful in suggesting the presence of underlying cardiovascular disease and indicate the need for further evaluation.
(Arch Intern Med 1988;148:1545-1549)
Author Affiliations
From the Departments of Medicine and Primary Health Care, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark. Dr Jin is currently with the Second Medical College, Tianjin, Peoples Republic of China.
Footnotes
Accepted for publication March 23, 1988.
Reprints not available.
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