Validation (Test Set) of a Method for Detecting Associated Heart Conditions in LBBB by Means of BSM

Abstract

We recently reported (1) a procedure for detecting associated heart condition(s) in left bundle branch block (LBBB), based on a multivariate analysis (Fisher’s discriminant analysis (2) of 10 voltage related variables contained from body surface maps (BSM). In that study (1), we correctly classified 34 of 37 patients (90% of the cases) in whom LBBB was uncomplicated (7 cases) or complicated by: myocardial infarction (MI, 8 cases), left ventricular hypertrophy or enlargement (LVH, 8 cases), myocardial ischemia (IS, 8 cases), MI+LVH (5 cases). With a view to validating the efficacy of the method by means of a test set, we applied the same procedure to a new LBBB population studied at 1) the Institute of General Physiology of Parma and 2) the Postgraduate Medical School, 2nd Medical Clinic and the Central Research Institute for Physics of Budapest.