Localization of chronic myocardial infarction using body surface Laplacian maps

Body surface Laplacian mapping was performed on two male inpatients with prior myocardial infarction (MI) as determined by cardiac echocardiography and ECG changes. From 150 channels of potential ECGs, the Laplacian ECGs were estimated, and the body surface Laplacian maps (BSLMs) were constructed using a 32 level color scale. In both patients with anterior MI, the BSLMs showed a localized initial negativity appearing at mid Q-R and overlying the site of MI as determined by ECG and echocardiographic criteria. The localization of MI was consistent with previous studies specifying the site of infarct as the peak negativity during early QRS in potential maps. This study suggests that the BSLM provides better localization of the anterior MI as compared to potential maps and may provide potential benefit in assisting clinical diagnosis.