[Clinical application of body surface mapping and its limitations].
The importance of detecting the high fidelity electrical activity of the heart was cited in respect to making diagnosis and providing optimal treatment. Standard 12 lead electrocardiograms (ECG) and vectorcardiograms (VCG) are used in daily practice with well-documented theoretical and experimental bases. However, this system is somewhat inadequate because of its simplicity both in records and basic assumptions. The development of a better lead system is thus mandatory for a high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity and for both qualitative and quantitative assessments of collected data. In recent years, great progress has been promised in "body surface mapping methods" by the medical application of computer technology, providing abundant information including four-dimensional displays; two-dimensional surface spreads of electricity as well as the magnitudes and time references. This method appears to be a powerful diagnostic tool, despite problems inherent in ECG and some unfavorable aspects yet to be settled. The present status, prospects and limitations of this new, powerful strategy are discussed.