An anatomical orthogonal four-electrode X-Y-Z lead system for universal ECG recording.

Abstract

Features of the P, QRS and T waves in the normal 12-lead ECG have been measured and the information displayed is estimated to be 75% redundant. The high level of redundancy results in an excessive volume of superfluous data. A simple 4-electrode 3-lead X-Y-Z system has been developed and is proposed for wide use in electrocardiology. The electrodes are anatomically orthogonal rather than electrically orthogonal. In a clinical test using only 3 of the standard leads, 95 of 100 records could be adequately interpreted. This high level of satisfactory interpretation with 3 leads has been experienced by other investigators. The 4-electrode system is currently being used for studies in high fidelity electrocardiology. It is suggested that a more appropriate name for vectorcardiogram (VCG) would be correlocardiogram (CCG). The 4-electrode system would simplify and be useful for this application. A simple 4-electrode 3-lead X-Y-Z system would facilitate the teaching recording and interpretation of ECG information by eliminating excessive redundant data. Evaluation of this lead system by other investogators is invited.