THE SIGNIFICANCE OF LEFT AXIS DEVIATION IN HEART DISEASE OF THE AFRICAN

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Abstract
The mean manifest frontal plane QRS and T wave axes (AQRS and AT) were studied in cases of cryptogenic cardiomyopathy in the African (Negro) and compared with cases of hypertension, mitral regurgitation, pericardial effusion, and myxedema. Ecg''s of healthy African male orderlies and nurses attached to the hospital were used as normal controls. With one exception, AQRS in the normal controls was located between 0 and +90[degree]. Cases with cryptogenic cardiomyopathy showed a significantly high incidence of left axis deviation and formed the major etiological group of all causes of left axis deviation in the African. Significant left axis deviation ([long dash]30[degree] or further leftward) was found only in those hypertensive patients who had advanced disease with complicating factors. The presence of left axis deviation may help to distinguish cryptogenic cardiomyopathy from pericardial effusion, myxedema, or mitral regurgitation. In the absence of coronary heart disease and advanced hypertension the presence of left axis deviation is a pointer to a cardiomyopathy.