THE SPATIAL VECTORCARDIOGRAM IN PROVEN ATRIAL SEPTAL DEFECT

Abstract
The spatial vector-cardiogram (Frank lead system) is described in 23 patients with ostium secundum and 7 with ostium primum or A-V communis defects; the abnormalities were subsequently verified anatomically at surgery or at post-mortem examination. The frontal plane projection of the vector-cardiogram in each of these 2 abnormalities is quite distinctive. Mitral insufficiency does not contribute to the primum pattern. Spatial vectorcardiography is of decided value in the preoperative assessment of patients with atrial septal defect.