Abstract
Preliminary standards for the normal orthogonal electrocardiogram and vectorcardiogram were established as a basis for further studies on pathologic series. Schmitt's corrected lead system (SVEC III) was used. The statistical analysis of electrocardiographic and vectorcardiographic data revealed some intrinsic shortcomings of commonly used analytic criteria. As the orthogonal electrocardiogram and vectorcardiogram are interchangeable, inherent advantages and disadvantages of the 2 methods of display could be evaluated in a quantitative fashion.