The impact of the computer-reported vectorcardiogram on the cardiologist interpreter of the scalar electrocardiogram.

The purpose of this study was to determine if the computer-reported vectorcardiogram (VCG) had a notable impact on the cardiologist interpreter of the 12-lead scalar electrocardiogram (ECG). Three cardiologists read 100 12-lead scalar ECGs and four months later again read the same tracings while having available the VCG computer report. The diagnosis was altered in 25% of the repeated interpretations. Forty-five per cent of these had only minor changes and can probably be disregarded. Major or significant changes occurred in 14% of the records, and 80% of these were apparently attributable to the computer report. It was concluded that the use of a computer-assisted interpretation of a VCG may enhance the uniformity and consistency of the cardiologist's interpretation of the scalar ECG.