Algebraic Decomposition of the TU Wave Morphology Patterns

In principle, the T wave results from the differences in durations of action potentials (AP) of different ventricular regions. Based on this concept, a mathematical model has been developed that represents the TU wave morphology as a summation of four AP-like functions: TU = S1 - S2 + L1 - L2. The sigmoidal shape of AP-like curves is produced by Hill's equation V(t) = a . tn/(bn + tn). Each of the decomposition functions is characterized by two parameters: the amplitude at the beginning of QRS (Amax), and the duration at 5% of Amax (D95). The set of four decomposition functions leads to eight parameters that provide detailed characteristics of the TU wave morphology. The model was validated using 170 TU wave complexes recorded digitally in leads V2-V6 from 22 normal subjects and 12 patients with abnormal TU wave morphologies (negative, biphasic, and notched T waves). The electrocardiographic signals were sampled at 100 Hz and a best-fit procedure was used to obtain the decomposition. In all cases the coefficients of correlation between original TU patterns and their mathematical models were > or = 0.99. The mean absolute difference between the observed and modeled values of the TU patterns was similar in cases with normal and abnormal TU wave morphologies (4.65 +/- 0.41 microV vs 5.19 +/- 0.48 microV respectively) demonstrating that the model is capable of describing and categorizing various TU patterns by a set of eight numerical parameters.