Diagnosis of Bundle Branch Block by analyzing body surface potential maps

Abstract

Bundle Branch Block (BBB) is a heart disease which is diagnosed by the analysis of the ECG morphology and the duration of the QRS complex. As Body Surface Potential Mapping provides more information than 12- lead ECG, this study aims to check whether studying mapping information BBB diagnosis can be improved. Representative maps of Left BBB and of healthy subjects were obtained. Comparisons between these maps and the maps of individual subjects were made in order to check whether the results would provide a correct classification of the subjects. Specificity was 100% for both groups. Sensitivity was 100% for LBBB patients and 89% for healthy subjects. The study concluded that ventricular depolarization in subjects with the same diagnosis have a similar pattern. With the quantitative analysis proposed, BBB patterns can be distinguished more easily than by visual inspection of the standard ECG, therefore improving BBB diagnosis.