A Quantitative Comparison of Unipolar and Augmented Unipolar Limb Leads

Abstract

Goldberger has claimed that his augmented unipolar limb leads (aV) are identical—except for a 50 per cent larger amplitude—and interchangeable with Wilson's original V leads, but this claim was not supported by quantitative evidence. The advantage of larger amplitudes explains the increasing preference for the aV leads. A quantitative comparison between V and aV leads revealed such tremendous variability of the augmentation ratio, both interindividual and between leads in the same individual, that standards obtained with V leads are not applicable to aV leads and vice versa. V leads and aV leads are not interchangeable.