Measurement of Superimposed P Wave Duration as a Quantitative Marker of Left Atrial Size

Reference #:

2003-157

Inventors/Contributors

Kwan Seung Lee M.D.

Description

We describe a new method of ECG analysis which has the strongest quantitative correlation in comparison with existing methods of determining left atrial size via ECG analysis. When the new method is compared with the current ECG machine's algorithm or the gold standard of manual measurement, the Morris index, the sensitivity of detection increases significantly while maintaining equal specificity. Using a standard function of an existing ECG analysis program, the medians of both limb and chest lead tracings are superimposed on each other in two separate groups. The duration of the superimposed P wave (beginning of first P wave activation to the end of last P wave activation) is measured separately on both superimposed groups. These values are then combined (summatively or as a product) to produce a final value. The final value correlates with left atrial size.

Patent Status

None