Changes in the electrocardiogram, vectorcardiogram and ballistocardiogram after hemodialysis in chronic uremia.

In 12 cases with uremia, the electrical activity and form and amplitude of Bcg (displacement) were investigated before and after hemodialysis. The uremia was secondary to chronic glomerulonephritis (9 cases), familial nephritis (1 case), polycystic kidney disease (1 case) and chronic pyelonephritis (1 case). During the study digitalis was not given to the patients. The ECG and Bcg abnormalities were irreversible in most cases. In 9 cases the VCG showed hypertrophy of the left ventricle. Considering these facts it is assumed that myocardial hypertrophy might play an important part in the development of irreversible pathological repolarization and hemodynamic troubles in chronic uremia.