Electrocardiographic imaging (ECGI): a new noninvasive imaging modality for cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmia

Abstract

Cardiac arrhythmias are a major cause of death (7 million cases annually worldwide; 400,000 in the U.S. alone) and disability. Yet, a noninvasive imaging modality to identify patients at risk, provide accurate diagnosis and guide therapy is not yet available in clinical practice. In my conference presentation and proceedings article, I will describe examples of the application of Electrocardiographic Imaging (ECGI) in humans. ECGI is a new noninvasive imaging modality for cardiac arrhythmias developed in our laboratory. It combines recordings of 224 body-surface electrocardiograms and a thoracic CT scan to reconstruct potentials, electrograms and isochrones (activation sequences) on the heart surface. Examples include: (1) normal activation and repolarization; (2) activation during ventricular pacing; and (3) atrial flutter.