[Changes in the vectorcardiogram in rheumatism with coronary vessel lesions]

Changes in vectorcardiograms (VCG) taken in 5 projections by the I.T. Akulinichev technique were studied in 101 patients with rheumatic fever involving the coronaries. The VCG changes were found not to be specific of rheumatic coronaritis, but to reflect the degree of coronary insufficiency and myocardial hypoxia in general. In coronaritis with myocardial infarction VCG displayed asynchronism and the QRS complex deformities, their unlocked pattern, and a decrease in the T wave amplitude. When myocardial infarction of a rheumatic genesis developed, signs of focal myocardial lesion appeared on the VCG similar to those observed in cases of ischaemic heart disease. Vectorcardiography was concluded to significantly supplement the capacity of electrocardiography in revealing coronarites.