Lead system transformation of body surface map data

Multicenter application of body surface map data (multilead electrocardiographic [ECG] data) is hampered by the fact that the centers involved in body surface mapping use lead systems differing in lead placement as well as in the number of leads. In this study, the performance of two methods for converting multilead ECGs from one lead system to another is evaluated in their application to the major lead systems presently in use throughout the world. The first method is based on Laplacian interpolation, and the second method is derived from the correlations between the signals in an extensive lead system. Through analyzing the representation errors, it was found that, for lead systems incorporating over 60 leads, both methods work well, yielding errors comparable to interbeat differences in individuals. For lead systems incorporating fewer leads, the correlation method is to be preferred.