High accuracy of automatic detection of atrial fibrillation using wavelet transform of heart rate intervals.
Permanent and paroxysmal AF is a risk factor for the occurrence and the recurrence of stroke, which can occur as its first manifestation. However, its automatic identification is still unsatisfactory. In this study, a new mathematical approach was evaluated to automate AF identification. A derivation set of 30 24-hour Holter recordings, 15 with chronic AF (CAF) and 15 with sinus rhythm (SR), allowed the authors to establish specific RR variability characteristics using wavelet and fractal analysis. Then, a validation set of 50 subjects was studied using these criteria, 19 with CAF, 16 with SR, and 15 with paroxysmal AF (PAF); and each QRS was classified as true or false sinus or AF beat. In the SR group, specificity reached 99.9%; in the CAF group, sensitivity reached 99.2%; in the PAF group, sensitivity reached 96.1%, and specificity 92.6%. However, classification on a patient basis provided a sensitivity of 100%. This new approach showed a high sensitivity and a high specificity for automatic AF detection, and could be used in screening for AF in large populations at risk.
Duverney
David
D
Service d'Exploration Fonctionnelle CardioRespiratoire, Laboratoire de Physiologie, Hopital Universitaire Nord, Saint-Etienne, France.
Gaspoz
Jean-Michel
JM
Pichot
Vincent
V
Roche
Frédéric
F
Brion
Richard
R
Antoniadis
Anestis
A
Barthélémy
Jean-Claude
JC
D000465:Algorithms; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017709:Fractals; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*