Parameters of Body Surface Potential Maps Reflecting the Dynamics of Ventricular Activation

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a medical intervention that involves the use of a specific type of pacemaker to synchronize the ventricular contractions and enhance the pumping function of the failing heart. This study was conducted to investigate specific parameters obtained from body surface potential mapping (BSPM) during spontaneous heart activity that could be used to predict the outcome of CRT and identify possible CRT responders and non-responders. Data from 13 healthy volunteers and 13 patients were collected using ProCardio 8 ECG measuring system with 128 chest electrodes. Selected published parameters based on activation times (AT), ventricular activation times (VAT) and global activation time (GAT) measured on body surface were calculated. A Comparison of the parameters in the groups of healthy subjects and patients showed that most parameters have increased mean values for patients. Increased mean values of the three parameters based on ECG signals mainly reflecting area of septum and right ventricle. The differences in two of them, between responders and non-responders, were found to be statistically significant on significance level p < 0.05, which makes them potential indicators of responders and non-responders. The study suggests that selected BSPM-based parameters obtained during spontaneous rhythm have the potential to predict CRT outcome and to distinguish CRT responders and non-responders.