Abstract
Recognition of right ventricular hypertrophy in cystic fibrosis has been difficult. 74 cases of cystic fibrosis were studied with arterialized finger prick blood for pO2, a series of static and dynamic pulmonary function tests and vectorcardiograms (Frank lead) and orthogonal X,Y,Z all done the same day. Group I: normal pO2 for age (N=31). Group II: pO2 less than two standard deviations for age (N=43). There was no significant correlation between the S wave in the X lead or the maximum voltage to the right in frontal or horizontal loops (signs of right ventricular hypertrophy) and the pO2 or selected respiratory function tests in either group. We were surprised to find that there was a significant positive correlation in group II of (1) R in lead X(Rx) with pO2 (r=.38), FEV1.0 (r=.44) MBC (r=.39), (2) frontal plane maximum left voltage (FMLV) with pO2 (r=.40) FEV1.0 (r=.37) MBC (r=.36), (3) T in the X lead (Tx) with pO2 (r=.37) and MBC (r=.47).
Conclusions: As the respiratory function tests worsen or the pO2 lessens the voltage over the left ventricle gets less. These simple hand measurements of left voltage (Rx, FMLV, and Tx) can be used to follow patients with cystic fibrosis to detect the development of cor pulmonale.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Fowler, R., Rappaport, H., Cunningham, K. et al. REDUCED LEFT VOLTAGE IN THE VECTORCARDIOGRAM AS AN INDICATOR OF COR PULMONALE IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS. Pediatr Res 8, 349 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197404000-00055
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197404000-00055