The purpose of this research was to compare the accuracy of newly described P
wave-related parameters (P wave area, Macruz index and mean electrical axis) with
classical P wave-related parameters (voltage and duration of P wave) for the assessment of
left atrial (LA) size in dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease. One hundred
forty-six dogs (37 healthy control dogs and 109 dogs with degenerative mitral valve
disease) were prospectively studied. Two-dimensional echocardiography examinations and a
6-lead ECG were performed prospectively in all dogs. Echocardiography parameters,
including determination of the ratios LA diameter/aortic root diameter and LA area/aortic
root area, were compared to P wave-related parameters: P
wave area, Macruz index, mean electrical axis voltage and duration of P
wave. The results showed that P wave-related parameters (classical and newly described)
had low sensitivity (range=52.3 to 77%; median=60%) and low to moderate specificity
(range=47.2 to 82.5%; median 56.3%) for the prediction of left atrial enlargement. The
areas under the curve of P wave-related parameters were moderate to low due to poor
sensitivity. In conclusion, newly P wave-related parameters do not increase the diagnostic
capacity of ECG as a predictor of left atrial enlargement in dogs with degenerative mitral
valve disease.
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