[New knowledge of the modifiability of QRS amplitudes of the surface electrocardiogram of the transplanted human heart].

Applying immunosuppressive therapy with Ciclosporin A, the myocardium shows only little or no oedema in the cardiac rejection process. Thus the usefulness of electrocardiographic diagnosis using QRS-amplitudes of the surface electrocardiogram (unipolar precordial chest leads) for the early recognition of the (acute) cardiac rejection process, is considerably limited if not questionable when compared with the pre-ciclosporin period (63 cases with heart transplants). In a heart-lung transplant for instance a massive accumulation of fluid in the lungs (erroneously) can influence the QRS-amplitudes. In addition, the cardiac rejection index (KRI) obtained by unipolar chest leads and other electrocardiographic alterations should be watched continuously. With a high degree of reliance, the intra-myocardial electrogram (IMEG) permits a better diagnosis of the acute cardiac rejection process. For the early clinical diagnosis the use of additional noninvasive methods of examinations is advisable.