Frank’s sign in recurrent triple-vessel disease

Frank’s sign was first described by Frank in 1973.1 It is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and is originally described to predict coronary artery disease.2 A 35-year-long large population prospective study revealed visible age-related signs such as Frank’s sign, male pattern baldness and xanthelasmata, associated with increased risk of ischaemic heart disease independent of chronological age and other cardiovascular risk factors.2 3 Frank’s sign in patients less than 60 years of age is reported as a useful diagnostic physical examination since the prevalence of diagonal ear lobe crease increases with age, as does coronary artery disease.4 5 Earlobe inspection to elicit Frank’s sign is, hence, crucial in predicting atherosclerotic disease.6 Figure 2. Visible age-related signs and risk of ischemic heart disease in the general population: a prospective cohort study. [Epub ahead of print: 15 Jul 2014]. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25028409 5 Fabijanić D, Čulić V. Diagonal ear lobe crease and coronary artery disease.