Document Detail


The low impact of screening electrocardiograms in healthy individuals: a prospective study and review of the literature.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  12546239     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: To determine how often screening electrocardiograms (EKGs), which are required by military regulation, change management or disclose cardiac disease in healthy people. METHODS: A total of 1,718 consecutive EKG interpretations, whether or not the screening EKG led to further testing, disclosed serious or potentially serious cardiac disease, or changed management or disposition of the patient, were prospectively recorded. RESULTS: Thirty-four percent of the screening EKGs was abnormal. Seven (0.67%) of these abnormal EKGs altered management by leading to further consultation or testing. No screening EKG disclosed serious underlying cardiac disease. Two cases of potentially serious cardiac disease were discovered by the screening EKGs. At an average follow-up time of 34 months, neither of these two patients has developed serious cardiac disease. Our findings are similar to studies of other populations. CONCLUSION: Screening EKGs rarely caused a change in management. No adverse outcome would have occurred nor would serious cardiac disease have been missed if the routine screening EKG were not performed. The military should consider abandoning practice of performing screening EKGs in young, healthy individuals.
Authors:
Emil Lesho; Daniela Gey; Grant Forrester; Edward Michaud; Ethan Emmons; Edward Huycke
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Military medicine     Volume:  168     ISSN:  0026-4075     ISO Abbreviation:  Mil Med     Publication Date:  2003 Jan 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2003-01-27     Completed Date:  2003-02-20     Revised Date:  2005-11-16    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  2984771R     Medline TA:  Mil Med     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  15-8     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
U.S. Army Medical Activity, Heidelberg, Germany.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Child
Electrocardiography*
Female
Heart Diseases / diagnosis*,  epidemiology,  prevention & control,  therapy
Humans
Male
Mass Screening*
Middle Aged
Military Personnel / statistics & numerical data
Outcome Assessment (Health Care)*
Prospective Studies
United States / epidemiology

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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