The spetial vectorcardiogram in proved congenital atrial septal defect

Abstract

The sVCG was recorded with the equilateral tetrahedral reference system in 20 patients with proved atrial septal defects (8 primum and 12 secundum defects). The QRSsÊ loops of the patients with primum defects were uniform in configuration, direction of rotation, and orientation. This was also true for the patients with secundum defects. The QRSsÊ loops of the patients with primum defects were oriented to the left, superiorly and posteriorly, and rotated counterclockwise, whereas those of the patients with secundum defects were oriented essentially 180 degrees away, that is, to the right, inferiorly and anteriorly, and rotated clockwise. Because of the consistency in the findings, and because the differences between the two groups were so readily recognizable, even to the untrained person, the sVCG could be useful in the diagnosis of atrial septal defects.