The pseudo-inverse solution-attenuation compensated body surface potential maps

Data from a computer model of the human thorax are used to obtain an indication of the dispersal and attenuation of a signal as it passes from epicardium to body surface. From this the authors derive a pseudo-inverse solution whereby the ECG signals recorded from each of 37 body-surface sites are attenuation-compensated. The effect is that body-surface locations where small-amplitude signals are found are amplified, while areas of large-amplitude signals remain unaffected. By enhancing body-surface potential maps in this way, it may be possible to observe extra clinically useful information without resorting to elaborate and time-consuming research to obtain an inverse solution. To illustrate this point, the authors describe the effects of using their technique on recording taken from patients exhibiting acute inferior myocardial infarction and ischemic changes during exercise testing