Table 1

Accuracy of cardiac auscultation by general practitioners and cardiologists in the diagnosis of VHD, compared with echocardiography as the reference standard (95% CIs in parentheses)

Significant VHD
(A) General practitioners
PositiveNegativeTotal
 Murmur present166682PPV: 20% (12% to 30%)
 Murmur absent20149169NPV: 88% (82% to 93%)
 Total36215251Prev: 14% (10% to 19%)
Sens: 44% (28% to 62%)Spec: 69% (63% to 75%)
LR+: 1.45 (0.95 to 2.20)LR−: 0.80 (0.59 to 1.09)
(B) Cardiologists (mean rating)
PositiveNegativeTotal
 Murmur present114051PPV: 22% (11% to 35%)
 Murmur absent25175200NPV: 88% (82% to 92%)
 Total36215251Prev: 14% (10% to 19%)
Sens: 31% (16% to 48%)Spec: 81% (76% to 86%)
LR+: 1.64 (0.93 to 2.89)LR−: 0.85 (0.68 to 1.07)