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Table 3 Application of the inverse-square law to the simulation of potentials measured between two opposite ECG lectrodes

From: A vector-free ECG interpretation with P, QRS & T waves as unbalanced transitions between stable configurations of the heart electric field during P-R, S-T & T-P segments

Potential

“UP” electrode

LV wall

Septum

RV wall

“DOWN” electrode

The refferent “isoelectric” potential of the P-R segment

Electric field sources

Mass (M)

1.0

0.9

0.7

Distance between electrodes: 1.5 + 0.3 + 0.2 + 1.7 = 3.7

 

Potential (P)

50.0

50.0

50.0

Distance (Du) from the “UP” electrode

1.5

1.8

2.0

Calculated potentials (M × P)/(Du × Du)

22.2

13.9

8.8

The P-R potential: 44.9-34.9 = + 10

2.2

1.9

1.7

Distance (Dd) from the “DOWN” electrode

10.3

12.5

12.1

Calculated potentials (M × P)/(Dd × Dd)

Total potential on the “UP” electrode

44.9

 

34.9

Total potential on the “DOWN” electrode

Normal early QRS potential relative to the P-R potential: DOWN deflection makes a Q wave

Electric field sources

Mass (M)

1.0

0.9

0.7

 

Potential (P)

50.0

-10.0

50.0

Distance (Du) from the “UP” electrode

1.5

1.8

2.0

Calculated potentials (M × P)/(Du × Du)

22.2

-2.8

8.8

The absolute potential: 28.2-19.9 = +8.3

2.2

1.9

1.7

Distance (Dd) from the “DOWN” electrode

Relative to the P-R potential: 8.3-10 = -1.7

10.3

-2.5

12.1

Calculated potentials (M × P)/(Dd × Dd)

Total potential on the “UP” electrode

28.2

 

19.9

Total potential on the “DOWN” electrode

Negative potential of the “coronary” Q wave. due to reduced potential of the LV wall

Electric field sources

Mass (M)

1.0

0.9

0.7

 
 

Potential (P)

10.0

-10.0

50.0

Distance (Du) from the “UP” electrode

1.5

1.8

2.0

Calculated potentials (M × P)/(Du × Du)

4.4

-2.8

8.8

The absolute potential: 10.4-11.7 = -1.3

2.2

1.9

1.7

Distance (Dd) from the “DOWN” electrode

Relative to the P-R potential: -1.3-10 = -11.3

2.1

-2.5

12.1

Calculated potentials (M × P)/(Dd × Dd)

Total potential on the “UP” electrode

10.4

 

11.7

Total potential on the “DOWN” electrode

  1. All unitsa are arbitrary (distance between electrodes is 3.7 units, potential of well repolarised heart muscle is +50 units, potential of ischemic is reduced to positive values <50, while the depolarised muscle is -10 units). The referent “isoelectric P-R segment” is used to explain small, normal Q waves that happen due to early depolarization of the septal muscle. Profound “corronary Q waves” develop due to reduced positive potential of the LV wall caused by only partial repolarization.