Vectorcardiographic findings in Friedreich's ataxia

Cardiac manifestations in Friedreich's ataxia occur frequently. We have studied 17 cases of Friedreich's ataxia, of which 94% showed a disturbance of the repolarization in the scalar ECG, 29% showed evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy. These changes are not specific but typical of Friedreich's ataxia. Vectorcardiograms were taken with the Frank-system. The vectorcardiographic findings showed not only the same changes as seen in the sclar ECG, but furthermore an atypical configuration of the QRS-loop was evident, which was not recognized in the scalar ECG. According to our experience compared with the scalar ECT, the vectorcardiographic investigations can be considered a more useful method in the diagnosis of Friedreich's ataxia.