A new computerized system for automatic ECG analysis: An application to hypoxic rat ECG's

Abstract

A new system is described for computer evaluation of ECG parameters, with specific application in pharmacological experiments. Unlike the typical clinical procedures intended as diagnostic aid, this new system permits quantitative instant by instant evaluation of changes in common parameters (e.g., height, duration, area) of single ECG waves. From the input values a histogram is constructed for each ECG cycle; a dynamic baseline is then calculated from the histogram by selecting that value corresponding to the maximum occurrence. Each ECG wave is identified by an index value conveniently selected and by the time from the preceding QRS. Its very brief resolution time (2 msec) enables this system to also analyse very high rate ECGs such as those of rats. Applying this new system to evaluating ECGs of rats under different degrees of hypoxia, our results clearly demonstrate its capability of following and quantifying the induced alterations.