Vector U loop in patients with right ventricular overloading.

The U loop of the vectorcardiogram (VCG) was examined qualitatively and quantitatively in 126 normal subjects, 15 subjects with complete right bundle branch block (CRBBB group) and 58 patients with right ventricular overloading (RVO group), using a direct-writing vectorcardiograph with memory function. In normal subjects the U loop was directed similarly to the T loop, i.e., to the left, anteriorly and inferiorly. In the CRBBB group, maximum U vector was smaller, but its direction was not significantly different from that in normal subjects. In the RVO group, the U loop tended to be displaced posteriorly and to the left and was significantly greater in magnitude than that in normal subjects in the horizontal (P less than 0.01) and frontal (P less than 0.001) planes. In the RVO group, a good correlation was found between the direction of maximum U vector and right ventricular systolic pressure. In some cases of the RVO group, the U loop was the only abnormality suggesting right ventricular overloading. These findings suggest that abnormality of the U loop is a good indicator in a diagnosis of right ventricular overloading.