Physical Examination and ECG Screening in Relation to Echocardiography Findings in Young Healthy Adults

Abstract

Background and Aims: Cardiovascular screening in young adults is an important tool in many occupational settings. Our aim was to test whether screening physical examination and ECG influence the rate of abnormal echocardiogarphic findings in young healthy subjects. Methods: Consecutive echocardiography results of 18- to 20-year-old flight candidates were analyzed retrospectively. Echocardiographies were performed as part of a screening protocol, which includes ECG, physical examination and referral for echocardiography for any positive finding. A second stage includes universal echocardiography for all candidates. Results: 1,066 subjects were evaluated; 489 subjects underwent echocardiography following referral because of abnormal auscultatory or ECG findings. Findings (mostly mild valvular insufficiencies) were demonstrated in 12.7%, with only 0.6% of subjects disqualified. In subjects who underwent universal echocardiography (n = 577), findings (mostly mild valvular insufficiencies) were detected in 18%, with only 0.5% of subjects disqualified. Conclusions: The rate of significant echocardiography findings is extremely low in this young and healthy population. The presence of abnormal findings on either physical examination or ECG screening was not demonstrated to alter the rate of abnormal echocardiographic findings. We suggest that the low yield of screening should be weighed against the cost of an unidentified congenital cardiac lesion in the specific setting.

Journal

Journal ID (publisher-id): CRD

Journal ID (nlm-ta): Cardiology

Journal ID (doi): 10.1159/issn.0008-6312

Title: Cardiology

Publisher: S. Karger AG

ISSN (Print): 0008-6312

ISSN (Electronic): 1421-9751

Publication date Subscription-year: 2008

Publication date (Print): February 2008

Publication date (Electronic): 27 August 2007

Volume: 109

Issue: 3

Pages: 202-207

Affiliations

^aAeromedical Center, Israeli Air Force, and ^bDepartment of Internal Medicine B, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, ^cHeart Institute, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, and ^dSackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

Article

Publisher ID: 106684 Other ID: Cardiology 2008;109:202–207

DOI: 10.1159/000106684

PubMed ID: 17726322

Copyright statement: © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel

License:

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Page count

Figures: 1, Tables: 3, References: 33, Pages: 6

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Categories

Subject: Original Research