First Experience with PVC Localization from Clinical Data

The inverse solution using a dipole as equivalent heart generator was used for assessment of the area of the premature ventricular contraction (PVC) starting point. In two patients with frequent PVC activity, body surface maps were recorded, and the patient specific torso model was created from whole torso CT scan. The position of the assumed ectopic beat origin was computed from the first 40 ms of activation when the activated area is small. The patients also underwent intracardial electrophysiological mapping when the true origin of the PVC beat was defined as the earliest activated point. The obtained inverse results were compared with that position. The inverse solution was computed for 10 chosen ectopic beats for each patient using both, homogeneous and inhomogeneous torso models. The inverse results for both cases were within the area of the PVC beat origin. The use of the more detailed inhomogeneous torso model instead of the homogeneous one did not demonstrate an improvement of localization.