title: Imaging QRS complex and ST segment in myocardial infarction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute myocardial infarction creates regions of altered electrical properties of myocardium resulting in typical QRS patterns (pathological Q waves) and ST segment deviations observed in leads related to the MI location. The aim of this study was to present a graphical method for imaging the changes in the sequence of depolarization and the ST segment deviations in myocardial infarction using the Dipolar ElectroCARdioTOpography (DECARTO) method.
  
  
  METHODS
  Simulated ECG data corresponding to intramural, electrically inactive areas encircled by transmural areas with slowed impulse propagation velocity in anteroseptal and inferior locations were used for imaging the altered sequence of depolarization and the ST vector. The ECGs were transformed to areas projected on the image surface so as to image the process of ventricular depolarization based on the orientation and magnitude of the instantaneous QRS vectors, and the estimated "myocardium at risk" based on the ST segment deviation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The images are presented as Mercator projections with the texture of anatomical segments of the heart and the corresponding coronary artery distribution. The changes in depolarization sequence were visible as dislocations of activated areas circumventing the affected areas, while the "myocardium at risk" estimated from the ST segment deviation pointed to the affected area.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presented method of imaging ECG allows visualizing changes in sequence of depolarization as well as the ST segment deviations in myocardial infarction and they can be visually compared with non-ECG imaging methods.
authors.affiliation: International Laser Center, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovak Republic; Institute of Pathological Physiology, Medical Faculty, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic. Electronic address: Bacharova@ilc.sk.
authors.forename: Ljuba
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bacharova
authors.affiliation: Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, The Heart Center, Department of Cardiology, Denmark.
authors.forename: Lia E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Bang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Normal and Pathological Physiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
authors.forename: Vavrinec
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Szathmary
authors.affiliation: International Laser Center, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
authors.forename: Anton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mateasik
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000465:Algorithms; D018780:Body Surface Potential Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
keywords: ECG imaging; Myocardial infarction; QRS complex; ST segment deviation