Abstract
Because nearly all patients with acute aortic dissection have systemic hypertension, we examined electrocardiograms (ECGs) in 21 patients with spontaneous acute type A aortic dissection. An earlier study had shown that total 12-lead QRS voltage was the best criterion for determining left ventricular hypertrophy from the ECG. We measured total 12-lead QRS voltage in 21 patients with spontaneous (no previous cardiac or aortic operation) acute type A aortic dissection and operative repair. Using >175 mm as evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy, only 8 patients (38%) had hearts of increased mass. Total 12-lead QRS voltage corresponded slightly with age but not with body mass index. In conclusion, total 12-lead QRS voltage is not useful for diagnostic purposes in patients with acute type A aortic dissection undergoing operative repair.