A COMPARISON OF BODY-SURFACE LAPLACIAN AND POTENTIAL MAPS DURING PACED VENTRICULAR ACTIVATION

The objective of this study is to evaluate the spatial resolution of b ody surface Laplacian maps (BSLMs) in localizing ventricular electrica l activity by means of computer simulation. A 3-D computer heart-torso model was used to simulate cardiac electrical activity and the body s urface maps. A two-site pacing protocol was used to generate two simul taneously activated myocardial events on the anterior epicardial wall and the anterior endocardial wall, Following the pacing, the BSLMs and the body surface potential maps (BSPMs) were calculated and compared with the known activation pattern. As a result, the BSLMs showed super ior resolution than the BSPMs for localized initial ventricular activi ty, In summary, the present study suggests that body surface Laplacian mapping may provide a useful methodology for the clinical diagnosis o f cardiac electrical abnormalities.