title: Physical examination and ECG screening in relation to echocardiography findings in young healthy adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cardiovascular screening in young adults is an important tool in many occupational settings. Our aim was to test whether screening physical examination and ECG influence the rate of abnormal echocardiogarphic findings in young healthy subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive echocardiography results of 18- to 20-year-old flight candidates were analyzed retrospectively. Echocardiographies were performed as part of a screening protocol, which includes ECG, physical examination and referral for echocardiography for any positive finding. A second stage includes universal echocardiography for all candidates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  1,066 subjects were evaluated; 489 subjects underwent echocardiography following referral because of abnormal auscultatory or ECG findings. Findings (mostly mild valvular insufficiencies) were demonstrated in 12.7%, with only 0.6% of subjects disqualified. In subjects who underwent universal echocardiography (n = 577), findings (mostly mild valvular insufficiencies) were detected in 18%, with only 0.5% of subjects disqualified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The rate of significant echocardiography findings is extremely low in this young and healthy population. The presence of abnormal findings on either physical examination or ECG screening was not demonstrated to alter the rate of abnormal echocardiographic findings. We suggest that the low yield of screening should be weighed against the cost of an unidentified congenital cardiac lesion in the specific setting.
authors.affiliation: Aeromedical Center, Israeli Air Force, Tel Hashomer, Israel. dalandau@gmail.com
authors.forename: Dan-Avi
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Landau
authors.forename: Alon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grossman
authors.forename: Yaniv
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sherer
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harpaz
authors.forename: Bella
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Azaria
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Erez
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Barenboim
authors.forename: Liav
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Goldstein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D010808:Physical Examination; D012189:Retrospective Studies