Computing the spatial QRS-T angle using reduced electrocardiographic lead sets

The 'spatial QRS-T angle' (SA) is frequently determined using linear lead transformation matrices that require the entire 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). While this approach is adequate when using 12-lead ECG data that is recorded in the resting supine position, it is not optimal in monitoring applications. This is because maintaining a good quality recording of the complete 12-lead ECG in monitoring applications is difficult. In this research, we assessed the differences between the 'gold standard' SA as determined using the Frank VGG and the SA as determined using different reduced lead systems (RLSs). The random error component (span of the Bland-Altman 95% limits of agreement) of the differences between the 'gold standard' SA and the SA values based upon the different RLSs was quantified. This was performed for all 62 RLSs that can be constructed from Mason-Likar (ML) limb leads I, II and all possible precordial lead subsets that contain between one and five of the precordial leads V1 to V6. The RLS with the smallest lead set size that produced SA estimates of a quality similar to what is achieved using the ML 12-lead ECG was based upon ML limb leads I, II and precordial leads V1, V3 and V6. The random error component (mean [95% confidence interval]) associated with this RLS and the ML 12-lead ECG were found to be 40.74° [35.56°-49.29°] and 39.57° [33.78°-45.70°], respectively. Our findings suggest that a RLS that is based upon the ML limb leads I and II and the three best precordial leads can yield SA estimates of a quality similar to what is achieved when using the complete ML 12-lead ECG.