ECG changes in aortic valve defects

: ECG is nowadays no longer the dominant way of diagnosing aortic valve diseases. The basis of accurate diagnosis of these diseases is clinical examination, ECHO and catheterization of the heart, which is essential in the great majority of valve diseases, in particular to rule out coronary changes. ECG is however important for the primary evaluation of left ventricular hypertrophy, left ventricular overburdening, for detection of enlargement or overloading of the left atrium. It is irreplaceable for evaluation of impaired rhythm, or impaired conduction of the impulse. Thus we can prove atrial fibrillation, or flutter bundle branch block, disorders of AV conduction (block of AV transmission grade one to three), supraventricular and ventricular extrasystoles etc. Changes of the ECG tracing provide also some information which cannot be obtained by other means.