Correlation of Vectorcardiographic Criteria for Myocardial Infarction with Autopsy Findings

Abstract

One hundred eight patients who had had vectorcardiograms and electrocardiograms recorded were followed to autopsy, and their hearts were carefully studied postmortem. Vectorcardiographic criteria previously proposed using the Frank corrected lead system were tested against the anatomic findings. These criteria correctly predicted the presence of infarction in 49 (92%) of 53 hearts and correctly localized the infarct in 39 (74%). In four hearts (8%) infarction could not be identified. In 18 (32%) of 55 hearts in which infarcts were not present, these criteria falsely indicated infarction. The reasons for the false positive predictions are discussed. The criteria tested will prove useful in the diagnoses and localizations of myocardial infarcts when the pitfalls of deformities of the vectorcardiogram produced by ventricular hypertrophy and bundle-branch block are avoided.