Background: Analysis of ventricular late potentials (LP) with signal-averaged ECG (SAECG) using three bipolar, orthogonal X,Y, Z leads is a validated method of risk-stratification in patients prone to ventricular tachycardia. The aim of this study was to validate a ECG system, which allows LP analysis using X,Y, Z leads mathematically derived from the standard 12-lead ECG.
Methods and results: In 36 patients (age 56 +/- 12 years, coronary artery disease 71%, LVEF 46 +/- 14%) with known or suspected ventricular tachyarrhythmia, two consecutive SAECGs were recorded, one with mathematically derived and another one with true X,Y, Z leads. Time domain measurements with these different lead systems were compared using linear regression analysis and "Bland-Altman" plots. Correlation was good (r = 0.92) for the filtered QRS complex duration, but poor for the terminal QRS amplitude (RMS) and duration (LAS) criteria (r = 0.66 and 0.61, respectively; P < 0.0001). Defining LPS as present if at least two of the three time domain criteria were abnormal, the result matched in 28 (78%), but differed in 8 (22%) patients.
Conclusion: SAECG using X,Y, Z leads mathematically derived from the standard 12-lead ECG compared to true bipolar X,Y, Z leads show a close correlation in filtered QRS duration, but can differ considerably in the other time domain measurements, resulting in different interpretation of LP analysis in 22%. Therefore, SAECG registration should currently be performed with true X,Y, Z leads, until the accuracy of other approaches is validated.