The Vectorcardiogram in Complete Transposition of the Great Vessels

Abstract

The Frank vectorcardiograms of 50 patients with complete transposition of the great vessels were analyzed, and the findings were correlated with the electrocardiogram and hemodynamics. The patients were divided into four groups according to the presence or absence of ventricular septal defect and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. In group I, consisting of 20 patients with ventricular septal defect, the vector cardiograms showed evidence of combined ventricular hypertrophy in 80% of the cases, the scalar electrocardiogram, in 40%. In group II, 13 patients with ventricular septal defect and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, the vectorcardiogram was consistent with either right, combined, or left ventricular hypertrophy. In groups III and IV, patients with intact ventricular septum with or without left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, the vectorcardiogram was consistent with right ventricular hypertrophy in the majority of cases.