Detection of the Spatial Distribution of Late Potentials by Body Surface Mapping Using Forty-Five Unipolar,Leads

Abstract

For evaluating the spatial location of late potentials (LPs), the authors designed a new system for the body surface mapping of signal-averaged, filtered ECGs using forty-five thoracic unipolar leads (5 x 9 array). The signals from patients with old myocardial infarction (MI,N = 7) and arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD, N = 1) were amplified and passed through a bandpass (100-300 Hz) filter. The departure maps, LP isopotential maps, and LP₃₀ area maps were generated and superimposed. The LP₃₀ duration was determined as the section between the filtered QRS endpoints and points thirty milliseconds (ms) before. Isopotential maps of the LPs showed distinct positive and negative regions. In 7 cases with MI, the extreme was related to the zones indicated by the departure maps, and the LP₃₀ area maps also corresponded to the departure areas. In 1 case of ARVD, endocardial fragmented activity directly recorded at the right ventricle closely corresponded with the region on the LP₃₀ area map.

In conclusion, body surface LP isopotential maps and LP₃₀ area maps may provide useful information concerning the spatial distribution of endocardial fragmentation.