The ventricular complex in esophageal electrocardiography

Abstract

1. 1. The esophageal patterns recorded by multiple esophageal electrodes are described in normal and hypertrophied hearts and in posterior infarction. 2. 2. There is a definite transition zone in which the electrocardiographic pattern changes from that representing ventricular surface to that reflecting left ventricular cavity. 3. 3. In this zone there is a variability as to the levels of appearance of ventricular surface and ventricular cavity potentials and of the atrial intrinsic deflections. 4. 4. Lead V F and the lower esophageal leads consistently reflect the electrocardiographic pattern of the diaphragmatic surface of the heart, both in normal patients and in those with infarction. 5. 5. The application of esophageal electrocardiography in the diagnosis of localized posterior myocardial infarction is discussed.