Signal processing analysis of arrhythmias detection

• Main Author: Koh, Ruben Wai Hong.
• Other Authors: Gwee Bah Hwee
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Electrical and electronic engineering::Computer hardware, software and systems
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/53137
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Heart problems in patients are often classified as Arrhythmias. The term “Arrhythmia” means any deviation of the heart electrical impulses from its regular sequence. Such deviation in the impulses may occur too rapidly, too sluggish, or too erratically, causing the heart to respond in a similarly corresponding manner. When the heart fails to response normally, blood does not flow to the rest of our body normally too. This causes the organs in the body like the lungs and brains to shut down. In serious cases, Arrhythmias can be fatal. Thus, the primary objective of this project is to devise a method that helps with the detection of Arrhythmias. A method of classification for the type of Arrhythmias is crucial. It is therefore important that there is a thorough investigation to study the normal heart rate, and its waveform patterns. A good study and breakdown of the types of Arrhythmias have to be conducted. This will justify for an appropriate method of detection of Arrhythmias. From here on, a suitable proposal will be suggested to optimize the analysis of the different types of Arrhythmias. In order to identify the unique qualities of Arrhythmias, Matlab has been suggested as a tool for its analysis and identification of Arrhythmias. Matlab is a high level language that creates a user friendly environment for numerical computation, visualization and programming. The algorithm that you will see later in this report has been done using Matlab. Moreover, Matlab allows simulation of self-generated data when there is an absence of real-life data. This greatly helped in understanding Arrhythmia better and proved to be a good tool for future developments of this project. In depth research has been conducted on this project. It is noticed that there are 2 key criterions that explain the types of Arrhythmia. 1) P wave, 2) QTc. P wave is the first waveform constructed from the beat of the heart. QTc is a formula that calculates whether the heart beat is too fast or too slow. Further improvements can be made and will be suggested/ recommended in the later part of this report.