The Challenges And Pitfalls Of Limb-Leads And Heart-Axis Calculations - The Differences Between the Overall Magnitudes of Bipolar and Augmented Unipolar Leads cannot be Explained with the Ohm's Law

ABSTRACT

Summary Our paper analyses the interdependence between the overall magnitudes and resistances of bipolar and augmented unipolar limb leads of electrocardiograms. The findings strongly indicate that the overall ratio of magnitude of the bipolar and augmented unipolar limb leads is not a constant value, whereas the overall ratio of resistance is a constant value. These results expand but partially contradict a previous study. The ratio of the magnitude of bipolar leads to augmented unipolar leads is between 1 and 4/3 with a mean value of 2/?3, and this ratio is a function of the electrical axis of the heart. Our results also show that the overall ratio of resistance between bipolar and augmented unipolar limb leads approaches the value of 4/3. Conclusively, the ratio of magnitudes between limb leads is not a constant value, the ratio of resistances can be assumed as a constant value and therefore the difference of magnitudes between limb leads cannot be explained with the Ohm's law.