Body Surface Potential Mapping: Historical Background, Present Possibilities, Diagnostic Challenges

Diagnostic value of the left atrial electrical potentials detected by body surface potential mapping in the prediction of coronary artery disease

“…On these maps, the torso surface is represented by a rolled-out cylinder cut along the right midaxillary line. The left part of the map shows the front of the chest, the right part shows the back [18,34,35].…”

“…That is why BSPM is an applicable method to diagnose not only the acute coronary syndromes [4][5][6][7] but minor changes of the repolarization [8,9] or the old non-Q wave myocardial infarction, too [10][11][12]. BSPM is able to detect the minor electrical potentials (EP) of the atria as well as to evaluate their small potential changes [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20], therefore nowadays it is a useful tool in the investigation of the atrial rhythm disturbances [21][22][23][24].…”

Electrocardiological Features in Obesity: The Benefits of Body Surface Potential Mapping

“…Due to numerous electrodes (63 in the Montreal system) placed on the body surface (even on the back), minor electrocardiological events can also be detected that are less detectable or non-detectable with 12-lead ECG [33,34] . In general, qualitative and quantitative evaluations of isopotential maps provide the most information, but they are also the most time-consuming procedures.…”

A 64-Lead Body Surface Potential Mapping System

“…1c). A developed device called Body Surface Potential Mapping (BSPM) has been utilized in both research and clinical practices [7] allowing real-time acquisition of BSPs over a range of 32 to 300 electrodes providing better diagnostics of several heart disturbances [1,4,5]. Besides these advantages, the BSPM also allows investigators to map patterns of propagation through a three-dimensional (3D) colour-coded torso map of the electrical activity.…”

“…Although efforts have been made to improve the mechanism's understanding of heart disorders, the reduced number of electrodes (low spatial resolution) still the major limitation on identifying precise diagnostic of certain heart diseases [1,4,5]. A device containing a high-resolution of simultaneous non-invasive recordings would allow better detection of local variations in heart activity on the body surface potentials (BSPs), helping on the diagnosis of heart diseases [6] (Fig.…”