Atrial repolarization as observable during the PQ interval.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to study the involvement of atrial repolarization in body surface potentials.


METHODS
Electrocardiograms of healthy subjects were recorded using a 64-lead system. The data analysis focused on the PQ intervals while devoting special attention to the low-amplitude signals during the PQ segment: the segment from the end of the P wave until onset QRS. The data were analyzed by inspecting body surface potential maps and the XYZ signals of the vectorcardiogram.


RESULTS
Standard P-wave features exhibited normal values. The local potential extremes were found at positions not sampled by the standard leads. The PQ segment was found to be not isoelectric, the time course of the potential distribution being very similar to that during the P wave but for a reversed polarity and about 3-fold lower magnitudes.


CONCLUSIONS
The results demonstrate a significant involvement of atrial repolarization during the PQ interval and essentially discordant "atrial T waves," suggesting a small dispersion of atrial action potential durations.
Ihara
Zenichi
Z
Signal Processing Institute, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland. zenichi.ihara@epfl.ch
van Oosterom
Adriaan
A
Hoekema
Rudi
R
D016275:Atrial Function / Q000502:physiology*; D018780:Body Surface Potential Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity