Comparison of body surface potential maps simulated with isotropic and anisotropic computer heart models.

Simulated body surface potential maps (SBSPM) with isotropic and anisotropic heart models were compared to investigate the effect of myocardial anisotropy on body surface electrocardiograms at a whole heart level. Rotative fiber orientations of total 90 degrees was incorporated into an isotropic heart model. The anisotropy of conduction velocity and intracellular electric conductivity was included in the simulation. SBSPM based on epicardial, intramural, and endocardial stimulation show high correlation with fiber orientations. On the other hand, the anisotropy cannot be distinguished from the SBSPM in the simulation of normal heart model.