Choice of an alternative lead for QT interval measurement in serial ECGs when Lead II is not suitable for analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Conventionally, QT interval is measured in lead II. There are no data to select an alternative lead for QT measurement when it cannot be measured in Lead II for any reason. Methods and results: We retrospectively analyzed ECGs from 1906 healthy volunteers from 41 phase I studies. QT interval was measured on the median beat in all 12 leads. The mean difference in QT interval between lead aVR and in Lead II was the least, followed by aVF, V5, V6 and V4; lead aVL had maximum difference. The T wave was flat (<0.1 mV) in Lead II in 6.9% of ECGs; it was also flat in 20% of these ECGs (1.4% of all ECGs) in Leads aVR, aVF and V5. Conclusions: When QT interval cannot be measured in Lead II, the best alternative leads are aVR, aVF, V5, V6 and V4 in that sequence. It differs maximally from that in Lead II in Lead aVL.

Keywords

• Cardiac safety of drugs
• QT dispersion
• T wave vector
• Thorough QT/QTc study
• Electrocardiography