Electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) has been used to predict adverse prognosis in hypertensive patients. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association between LVH using the different electrocardiographic criteria in patients with hypertension.
A comprehensive literature search was performed PubMed and Embase databases up to September 1, 2019. Observational studies evaluating the association between electrocardiographic LVH (Cornell voltage, Cornell product or Sokolow-Lyon voltage) at baseline and risk of stroke among hypertensive patients were selected. The risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was pooled for patients with electrocardiographic LVH versus without LVH.
Seven studies enrolling 58,098 hypertensive patients were included. When compared those with or without LVH patients showed that the pooled RR of stroke was 1.63 (95% CI 1.38-1.93) for Cornell voltage criteria, 1.41 (95% CI 1.07-1.86) for Cornell product criteria, and 1.42 (95% CI 1.20-1.69) for Sokolow-Lyon voltage criteria, respectively. However, the predictive significance of Cornell product criteria was not reliable in the sensitivity analysis.
Baseline electrocardiographic LVH detecting by Sokolow-Lyon or Cornell voltage criteria can predict the development of stroke in hypertensive patients. Use of electrocardiographic LVH can improve stroke risk stratification in hypertensive patients.

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