The Effect of Segmentation Variability in Forward ECG Simulation

Segmentation of patient-specific anatomical models is one of the first steps in Electrocardiographic imaging (ECGI). However, the effect of segmentation variability on ECGI remains unexplored. In this study, we assess the effect of heart segmentation variability on ECG simulation. We generated a statistical shape model from segmentations of the same patient and generated 262 cardiac geometries to run in an ECG forward computation of body surface potentials (BSPs) using an equivalent dipole layer cardiac source model and 5 ventricular stimulation protocols. Variability between simulated BSPs for all models and protocols was assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient (CC). Compared to the BSPs of the mean cardiac shape model, the lowest variability (average CC = 0.98 ± 0.03) was found for apical pacing whereas the highest variability (average CC = 0.90 ± 0.23) was found for right ventricular free wall pacing. Furthermore, low amplitude BSPs show a larger variation in QRS morphology compared to high amplitude signals. The results indicate that the uncertainty in cardiac shape has a significant impact on ECGI.