Multilead ECG analysis.

This paper describes the results of our recent research in computer-assisted ECG/VCG interpretation. It comprises new developments which were initiated by the advent of relatively inexpensive microcomputers. Our previous systems performed an off-line analysis of ECGs. Currently, there is a trend to move computer power near to the patient and to provide on-line analysis of ECGs. Besides the advantage of the direct availability of the ECG interpretation, quality control will reduce the number of uninterpretable ECGs and hence the number of repeated recordings. This paper describes the requirements that were established for a system for on-line ECG analysis. The system is based on our modular approach, just like our off-line system, Modular ECG ANalysis System (MEANS). Changes in the methods and software had to be made mainly because of the simultaneity of all ECG leads and the concurrency of the processing tasks. Other modifications and extensions of the algorithms necessary to meet the requirements of on-line ECG interpretation especially those related to processing speed, are discussed, and evaluation results are presented.