ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the value of electrocardiographic (ECG) Cornell criteria for detecting left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in elderly Chinese men.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Since 1990, 244 autopsies were performed in our hospital in elderly men, LVH was determined in these autopsy hearts and correlated to ECG LVH signs recorded within 3 months before death according to Cornell (SV3+RaVL) and Sokolow-Lyon criteria (SV1+RV5 or RV6). The reference value of Cornell criteria was obtained based on values from autopsied healthy hearts, the sensitivity and specificity of Cornell and Sokolow-Lyon criteria for detecting left ventricular hypertrophy in these elderly men were calculated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were significantly correlations between QRS amplitudes of Cornell and Sokolow-Lyon criteria and autopsy left ventricular wall thickness in these hearts. The reference value of Cornell criteria (SV3+RaVL) was 2.9 mV. The sensitivity of Sokolow-Lyon and Cornell criteria for detecting LVH was 25.4% and 34.3% (P<0.05 vs Sokolow-Lyon criteria), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Voltage (SV3+RaVL)>or=2.9 mV might be a suitable diagnostic value for detecting left ventricular hypertrophy in Chinese elderly men.</p>