Changes in the body's QRS surface potentials produced by alterations in certain compartments of the nonhomogeneous conducting model

Abstract

1. 1. Extended conceptual models can be made to give useful clinical information of a kind not currently obtainable by any other means. The model considered here in part disposes of the 40-year-old homogeneous models, all of which must still hold a respected place in electrocardiographic interpretations since their introduction in 1927. 2. 2. The six compartments are discussed in isolated changes one at a time to illustrate their effects on body surface potential V 8. 3. 3. The important equation for a more generalized model may be found in the Appendix together with all elements necessary for programming on a computer, and heretofore to be used for computing body surface potentials by superpositional changes in any one or all of the compartments. 4. 4. Finally, it should be emphasized that changing the geometry or the appropriate resistivity ratio of any one compartment alters the potential at every point within and on the surface of the insulated conducting nonhomogeneous model, as demonstrated in the Appendix.