Analysis of the effects of lead configuration on cardiac spectrum

Dominant frequency (DF) mapping is a promising technique in the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation (AF). Two intracardiac DF mapping approaches have been developed based respectively on contact and non-contact leads, but the relationship between their DF values is not fully understood. Theoretically, the spectrum of cardiac signals from different leads can be different, and therefore their DF values could also be different. In this study we investigate the effects of lead configuration on the spectrum of cardiac signals. Signals measured by unipolar and bipolar lead systems are synthesized in a simulation environment, and their full spectra, bandwidth (BW) and DF values are analyzed. Our results suggest that the spectral BW and the lead spatial resolution are inversely related. By contrast, DF values are not affected by the lead configuration. We conclude that the DF is a robust spectral feature, whereas other spectral features depending on the BW can be distorted by the lead configuration.