Can the vectorcardiographically derived EASI ECG be a suitable surrogate for the standard ECG in selected circumstances

An evaluation of EASI electrocardiography was made in 50 non-consecutive patients lodged in a CCU. EASI 5-lead ECG was recorded simultaneously with standard la-lead ECG and reassembled into a 12-lead format via a Dower conversion box. Excellent agreement between EASI cardiograms and 12-lead ECG was observed for PR, QRS, QT intervals, for cardiac arrhythmias (3 atrial fibrillation, 1 ventricular tachycardia) and for ventricular conduction disorders. Concordance between EASI and 12-lead standard ECG for presence or absence of MI was 89%. EASI had a sensitivity and specificity for Q-wave MI detection of 94% and 93% respectively. These results suggest that the EASI 5-lead ECG shows a high correlation with standard 12-lead ECG and could be adapted for diagnostic use in a CCU.