title: A fast critical arrhythmic ECG waveform identification method using cross-correlation and multiple template matching.
abstract: Critical Arrhythmic ECG such as Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) and Ventricular Fibrillation (VF) are both distinguishable by its waveform characteristics. A VF waveform is often described as disorganized and has an irregular rhythm while a VT waveform exhibits abnormal signatures and presents a regular rhythm pattern. This paper presents a fast cross-correlation algorithm using multiple waveform templates for automatic detection of life threatening arrhythmias such as VT and VF from the Normal Sinus Rhythm (NSR) waveforms. A sliding-window template cross-correlation technique is applied to an ECG signal to generate an array of correlation coefficients. Then a correlation coefficient curve is used to detect high coefficient values for a type of template that will quantify the similarity between an examined ECG signal and a template. The method presented in this paper is able to detect all three different types of ECG signals from a total 21 testing signal set with a satisfied correct rate.
authors.affiliation: School of Electrical & Computer Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Fook Joo
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Irena
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cosic
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001331:Automation; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology