Vectocardiography in tetralogy of Fallot before and after operation (palliative and corrective surgery)

Chest. 1975 Oct;68(4):548-53. doi: 10.1378/chest.68.4.548.

Abstract

Vectorcardiograms from 55 patients with diagnosed tetralogy of Fallot were studied and divided into the following three groups: A, 35 nonoperated cases; B, 23 with systemic-pulmonary shunt (nine studied preoperatively and also in A); and C, ten after total correction. In group A, two different types of QRS loop occurred in the horizontal plane (HP); 23 clinically and hemodynamically severe cases had right anterior position with clockwise (C) rotation, and 12 less severe cases had right posterior position with counterclockwise (CC) rotation or figure-8 morphology. In the frontal plane the QRS loop was located inferiorly and to the right, with C rotation (80 percent); two cases had the left anterior hemiblock (LAHB) pattern, and another two severe cases had CC rotation and right superior position. Group B had an evident increase of left ventricular forces in the HP, compared with group A; group-B rotation was preferentially CC or figure-8 morphology. Group C had a pattern of right bundle-branch block in nine cases (classic in one and uncharacteristic in eight); four cases also had LAHB.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methods
  • Tetralogy of Fallot / diagnosis*
  • Tetralogy of Fallot / surgery
  • Vectorcardiography*