Octant vectorcardiography.

Abstract

Potentials recorded from the heart by the FRANK lead system are expressed in figures by means of analog-to-digital convertors. An elementary table is thus obtained, in which positive and negative numbers of X, Y, Z of eight possible combinations are called octants and have been numbered successively. The sequence of octants during a single depolarization is individual, but characteristic for a given group. Patients after myocardial infarction were examined and classified in this manner. Further more, peak amplitudes were assessed as the second parameter, i.e. the maxima of positive and negative potentials of X, Y, Z. The octants and peaks produce a network of a higher order to that in examined patients and may serve for the diagnostics of heart infarction. The method is intended for qualitative evaluation of coronary insufficiency, for which it provides novel information. It introduces computer techniques into electrocardiography.