A Spatial Vector Analyzer for the Conventional Electrocardiogram

Abstract

Present methods of spatial vector analysis are descriptive rather than quantitative, or require lengthy calculations. With the spatial vector analyzer, the spatial vector is constructed from the conventional electrocardiogram, with only minor modifications of electrocardiographic routine. The method is simple, can be applied to mean and instantaneous vectors, and a quantitative characterization of any vector in terms of a horizontal angle, vertical angle, and magnitude can be obtained in about three minutes. It may be expected that the description of any deflection in simple, quantitative terms will improve the electrocardiographic interpretation by eliminating distortion resulting from the limitation to one (frontal) plane.