Non-invasive assessment of myocardial ischaemia by using low amplitude oscillations of the conventional ECG signals (ECG dispersion mapping) during percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVE The HeartVue 6S System is a recently developed novel technology that may provide non-invasive assessment of myocardial ischaemia by analysing low amplitude oscillations of the conventional ECG signals (ECG dispersion mapping). The available data to validate this new technology is limited. Therefore we performed a prospective study to assess the HeartVue 6S System for the detection of myocardial ischaemia during coronary occlusion in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS A total of 101 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization were prospectively enrolled. HeartVue 6S System ECG dispersion mapping was obtained at baseline, and during the first balloon inflation and at the end of the procedure if PCI was performed. Parameters provided by the HeartVue 6S System were analysed. RESULTS Fifty patients who underwent PCI comprised the final study population. The mean age was 63.7 +/- 10 years and 58% were men. In 58% of cases the indication was acute coronary syndrome. In 98% of patients, PCI was successful. There were significant differences in the G7+G9 values between the first inflation and the end of the procedure, which reflect changes in ventricular depolarization (P = 0.02 by Wilcoxon signed rank test). CONCLUSIONS The HeartVue 6S System may have potential for a non-invasive assessment of ischaemia in patients with suspected coronary artery disease. Larger studies are warranted to confirm these preliminary findings.