Location of the electrical center of ventricular depolarization in rabbits.

This is a study on the location of the ventricular depolarization center, carried out on fifteen healthy rabbits according to the method of Ritsema van Eck. It is established that the level of equivalent heart dipole coincides with the fourth or fifth intercostal space, but in some laboratory animals this level displays a lower positioning. The inference is reached that to secure correct application of Frank's lead system it is necessary to use a prompt and precision method for determination of the level in question in each individual case. Such a method has not been developed as yet. For the time being, the optimal solution of the problem could be accomplished through a lead system that is less sensitive to electrode positioning errors.