Key result
Vectorcardiography diagnoses perioperative MI missed by conventional ECG in ~33% of affected patients.
Why the study?
The diagnostic value of vectorcardiography compared to conventional ECG and serum enzyme estimation for postoperative myocardial infarction was unclear.
Does vectorcardiography improve the diagnosis of postoperative myocardial infarction compared to conventional ECG and serum enzymes in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery?
Observational (n=53)
Does vectorcardiography improve the diagnosis of postoperative myocardial infarction compared to conventional ECG and serum enzymes in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery?
Vectorcardiography may provide decisive diagnostic value for peri/postoperative myocardial infarction when conventional ECG changes are unspecific.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Hypothesis-generating for vectorcardiography in perioperative MI with nonspecific ECG; prospective validation required before clinical adoption.
Fifty-three consecutive patients, mean age 63 years, undergoing either peripheral vascular reconstructive surgery (n = 40) or lobectomy for bronchial carcinoma (n = 13) were examined pre- and postoperatively with conventional electrocardiogram (ECG), vectorcardiogram (VCG) and estimation of serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total lactic dehydrogenase and the heat-stable fraction of lactic dehydrogenase for the diagnosis of per/postoperative myocardial infarction (MI). Six patients (11%) developed signs of acute MI. In 2 patients whose ECG showed only unspecific changes, the VCG was decisive for the diagnosis. The serum enzyme values alone were of limited value in the diagnosis of per/postoperative MI.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Midtbø et al. (1982) conducted an observational in Patients undergoing peripheral vascular reconstructive surgery or lobectomy for bronchial carcinoma (n=53). Vectorcardiogram (VCG) vs. Conventional electrocardiogram (ECG) and serum enzymes was evaluated on Diagnosis of per/postoperative myocardial infarction (MI). Vectorcardiography was decisive for diagnosing per/postoperative myocardial infarction in 2 of 6 affected patients (11% overall incidence) whose conventional ECG showed only unspecific changes.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: