Postoperative Changes in the Electrocardiogram in Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract

Electrocardiograms of forty-six cases of pure pulmonary stenosis were analyzed before and after valvulotomy. The electrocardiograms taken at the last postoperative examinations (three months or longer after the operation) revealed significant changes as compared with the preoperative tracings. It is suggested that these changes may be due to the diminished load on the right ventricle and right auricle after the operation. Evidence is presented that electrocardiography offers a simple and valuable means for the evaluation of the result of valvulotomy in pure pulmonary stenosis.