Retrieving hidden atrial repolarization waves from standard surface ECGs

Abstract

Background: This study estimates atrial repolarization activities (Ta waves), which are typically hidden most of the time from body surface electrocardiography when diagnosing cardiovascular diseases. The morphology of Ta waves has been proven to be an important marker for the early sign of inferior injury, such as acute atrial infarction, or arrhythmia, such as atrial fibrillation. However, Ta waves are usually unseen except during conduction system malfunction, such as long QT interval or atrioventricular block. Therefore, justifying heart diseases based on atrial repolarization becomes impossible in sinus rhythm. Methods: We obtain TMPs in the atrial part of the myocardium which reflects the correct excitation sequence starting from the atrium to the end of the apex. Results: The resulting TMP shows the hidden atrial part of ECG waves. Conclusions: This extraction makes many diseases, such as acute atrial infarction or arrhythmia, become easily diagnosed.