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Delineation of the QRS complex using the envelope of the e.c.g.

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Abstract

A new algorithm for QRS delineation has been developed. Based on the envelope of the e.c.g. signal a delineation function is defined, which yields a single positive pulse for each complex. From this function the onset and end of the QRS or, alternatively, a fiducial point is determined. To remove low-frequency component such as S-T abnormalities without distortion of the QRS complex, a filter with time-varying characteristics is used. The accuracy of the method has been evaluated in a test set of different QRS complexes obtained from coronary care patients. For QRS onset, the standard deviation of the difference between automated and manual determination was 7 ms in normal beats and 14 ms in ectopic beats. With simulated noise added to each waveform an average dispersion of 7 ms was observed in the recognition of the QRS onset at a signal-to-noise ratio of 15 dB. The corresponding dispersion in the location of a fiducial point was 2 ms. Using simulated e.c.g. data, the stability of the method is demonstrated for transitions between different waveform morphologies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Informatics, Linköping University, S-581 85, Linköping, Sweden

    M. -E. Nygårds

  2. Division of Telecommunication Theory, University of Lund, S-220 07, Lund, Sweden

    L. Sörnmo

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  1. M. -E. Nygårds
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  2. L. Sörnmo
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Nygårds, M.E., Sörnmo, L. Delineation of the QRS complex using the envelope of the e.c.g.. Med. Biol. Eng. Comput. 21, 538–547 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02442378

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02442378

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