Computer Analysis of Precordial Electrocardiographic Maps

This paper describes a computer system for the analysis of 35-lead precordial maps. The computer system is subdivided into 4 subsystems: data acquisition, data analysis, data quality review, and report generation. The data acquisition system is used to retrieve and file the EKG data. The data analysis system establishes time reference points (Q, R, and T-onset) from which variables (QRS duration, R-amplitude, and ST-segment elevation) are calculated. The data review phase allows monitoring and manual editing of the results of the data analysis. One report generated from this system displays an EKG cycle from each lead and its respective parameters. Another report groups the leads by ST-elevation and compares the R-amplitude of the first map with the R-amplitude of successive maps. This system has been found to yield reproducible results. These results are compared to angiographic indices of infarct size.