Comparison of the electrocardiogram and vectorcardiogram for the diagnosis of left atrial enlargement.

Standard 12 lead electrocardiograms (ECG) and Frank vectorcardiograms (VCG) were recorded in 21 consecutive patients with mitral valvular disease and angiographically documented left atrial enlargement. Comparative sensitivities for the detection of left atrial enlargement were: diagnostic, ECG = 6/21 (29%), VCG = 14/21 (67%); suggestive, ECG = 3/21 (14%), VCG = 2/21 (9%); non-diagnostic, ECG = 12/21 (57%), VCG = 5/21 (24%). It is concluded that the Frank atrial vectorcardiogram is superior to the standard electrocardiogram for the diagnosis of left atrial enlargement.