The clinical value of the apex beat as a marker of left atrial enlargement.
Apex beat
Left atrial enlargement
Left atrial volume
Physical examination
Journal
Journal of cardiology
ISSN: 1876-4738
Titre abrégé: J Cardiol
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 8804703
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
08 2021
08 2021
Historique:
received:
30
10
2020
revised:
30
12
2020
accepted:
19
01
2021
pubmed:
10
2
2021
medline:
25
11
2021
entrez:
9
2
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The palpation of the apex beat, one of the most fundamental physical examinations, provides a clue to left ventricular (LV) dilatation and hypertrophy; however, its relation to left atrial (LA) volume has rarely been investigated. The clinical value of the apex beat, especially in relation to LA volume was studied in 138 consecutive patients. Patients were examined in the supine position for a palpable apex beat. When an apex beat was felt, the apex beat distance, defined as the distance from the mid-clavicular line to the lateral border of the apex beat, was measured. The LA and LV geometry were assessed using echocardiography. Of the 138 patients, an apex beat was palpable in 52 (38%) patients and the apex distance of these 52 patients ranged from -2 to 8 cm. The parameters of LV dilatation or hypertrophy were significant according to univariate but not to multivariate analysis. Only LA volume index was significant both for the palpability of the apex beat (p=0.0042) and the apex distance (p=0.0017) by multivariate analysis. The best cut-off point for the apex distance was -1 cm for LA enlargement (sensitivity 61%, specificity 92%, p<0.0001). The LA volume is the most significant factor for the palpability and leftward deviation of the apex beat. Palpation of the apex beat is a crucial diagnostic tool for the detection of not only LV dilatation or hypertrophy but also of LA enlargement.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
The palpation of the apex beat, one of the most fundamental physical examinations, provides a clue to left ventricular (LV) dilatation and hypertrophy; however, its relation to left atrial (LA) volume has rarely been investigated.
METHODS
The clinical value of the apex beat, especially in relation to LA volume was studied in 138 consecutive patients. Patients were examined in the supine position for a palpable apex beat. When an apex beat was felt, the apex beat distance, defined as the distance from the mid-clavicular line to the lateral border of the apex beat, was measured. The LA and LV geometry were assessed using echocardiography.
RESULTS
Of the 138 patients, an apex beat was palpable in 52 (38%) patients and the apex distance of these 52 patients ranged from -2 to 8 cm. The parameters of LV dilatation or hypertrophy were significant according to univariate but not to multivariate analysis. Only LA volume index was significant both for the palpability of the apex beat (p=0.0042) and the apex distance (p=0.0017) by multivariate analysis. The best cut-off point for the apex distance was -1 cm for LA enlargement (sensitivity 61%, specificity 92%, p<0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS
The LA volume is the most significant factor for the palpability and leftward deviation of the apex beat. Palpation of the apex beat is a crucial diagnostic tool for the detection of not only LV dilatation or hypertrophy but also of LA enlargement.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33558039
pii: S0914-5087(21)00027-7
doi: 10.1016/j.jjcc.2021.01.012
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
136-141Commentaires et corrections
Type : CommentIn
Type : CommentIn
Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Ltd.