title: Where is the central terminal located? In search of understanding the use of the Wilson central terminal for production of 9 of the standard 12 electrocardiogram leads.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the understanding of the term central terminal (CT) and to consider the consequences of this level of understanding. A total of 150 questionnaires was distributed during the 30th International Congress of Electrocardiology 2003, Helsinki, Finland; 42 (28%) of the anonymous questionnaires returned were considered adequate for the purpose of this study. The questionnaire addressed the following areas of interest: (1) the location of the CT; (2) the location of the negative poles of unipolar leads ; (3) the naming of the electrocardiogram lead groups; (4) the relationship between the leads and cardiac electrical views; and (5) impact on accuracy of clinical diagnosis. The findings revealed diversity in understanding the basic term, a shift in understanding the term CT to abstract/theoretical understanding, and gaps in understanding the concept of CT and the more recent theories of the cardiac electric field.
authors.affiliation: International Laser Center, 812 19 Bratislava, Slovak Republic. bacharova@ilc.sk
authors.forename: Ljuba
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bacharova
authors.forename: Ronald H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Selvester
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Engblom
authors.forename: Galen S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Wagner
mesh_terms: D032882:Comprehension; D004562:Electrocardiography; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D009626:Terminology as Topic