Flexible system for HRV analysis using PPG signal

This paper presents an approach for detecting characteristic points in PPG (Photoplethysmogram) signal for the purpose of HRV (Heart Rate Variability) analysis. From IBI (Inter Beat Intervals) distribution several statistical parameters are extracted. For the purpose of comparison the same distribution and parameters are extracted from ECG signal by most used Pan-Tompkin’s algorithm. Using experimental set of data, under different conditions (spontaneous, controlled or assisted ventilation) and performing tests on the signals from the database which is consisted of patients of various ages, the high correlation in terms of statistical errors has been achieved, mean square error less than 100 ms in 89.19 % of calculations, error in calculating HRV less than 5 beats/minute in 91.89 % of tests. The proposed method provides additional advantages because it can be used for simplified measurement and signal processing, which can include easy hardware-software implementation and low cost. After the introductory notes, processing principles, verification and comparison procedure as well as preliminary results are presented.