Increased sensitivity for the diagnosis of healed myocardial infarction using vectorial information in the 12-lead ECG.
The aim of this study was to use the vectorial information in the conventional 12-lead electrocardiographic (ECG) recording and to investigate whether this information, in combination with well-known ECG criteria, could increase the diagnostic performance for healed anterior or inferior myocardial infarction. A total of 1,458 subjects were included in the study; 272 patients with anterior myocardial infarction, 356 patients with inferior myocardial infarction, and 830 subjects classified as normal. New 12-lead vectorcardiographic criteria for anterior and inferior myocardial infarction were developed and used in combination with well-known ECG criteria. The combined criteria showed a sensitivity of 80.0% and 72.4% for the diagnosis of anterior and inferior myocardial infarction, respectively. The corresponding sensitivities for the conventional ECG criteria were significantly lower. In conclusion, the addition of vectorial parameters into ECG interpretation programs could be of value.
Pettersson
J
J
Department of Clinical Physiology, University of Lund, Sweden.
Pahlm
O
O
Sörnmo
L
L
Haisty
W K
WK
Edenbrandt
L
L
D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014672:Vectorcardiography