Is isolated ST segment elevation in Lead aVR associated with high grade coronary artery disease?

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic accuracy of lead aVR ST-segment elevation for left main or triple vessel disease (LM/3VD) has not been universally accepted. In the present analysis we sought to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of STEaVR in patients presenting with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: Pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative likelihood ratios were calculated using a random effects model (DerSimonian-Laird Method) for computing summary estimates and receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis for evaluating overall diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS: This meta-analysis included 14 studies. The pooled sensitivity of STEaVR for LM/3VD was 0.40 (95% CI; 0.38 0.43, p < 0.001), specificity 0.82 (95% CI; 0.81-0.83, p < 0.001). Pooled positive likelihood ratio 2.49 (95% CI; 1.62-3.81, p < 0.001) and negative likelihood 0.54 (95% CI; 0.39-0.76, p < 0.001). The pooled sensitivity of STEaVR for LM was 0.39 (95% CI; 0.34-0.45, p < 0.001) specificity was 0.86 (95% CI; 0.85-0.87, p < 0.001) with an AUC of 0.79. The pooled positive likelihood ratio (LR) for LM was 2.78 (95% CI, 2.28-3.39, p < 0.001) negative likelihood ratio 0.51 (95% CI, 0.33-0.78, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that in patients presenting with an ACS, presence of STEaVR may indicate the presence of LM or 3VD. STEaVR has a high specificity for both LM and 3VD, with a high pooled LR.