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Application of Beat‐to‐Beat Techniques
Author(s) -
FLOWERS NANCY C.,
HORAN LEO G.,
YANG WEIQUN
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
pacing and clinical electrophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.686
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1540-8159
pISSN - 0147-8389
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8159.1990.tb06958.x
Subject(s) - beat (acoustics) , infinite impulse response , acoustics , ringing , finite impulse response , medicine , computer science , digital filter , physics , filter (signal processing) , algorithm , computer vision
FLOWERS, N.C., ET AL.: Application of Beat‐to‐Beat Techniques. The focus of this report is to describe a system for recording surface His‐Purkinje and ventricular late potentials on a beat‐by‐beat basis outside of a shielded environment. An AC magnetic field monitoring device was designed for improved site selection, orientation, and quality control of the acquisition. His‐Purkinje signals are detected utilizing spatial averaging and specific channel selection algorithms applied to discriminate random noise from signal. Beat‐by‐beat vectormagnitude complexes were generated from pairs of X, Y, and Z leads. Both infinite impulse response (IIR) filters, modified for beat‐by‐beat approaches, and finite impulse response (FIR) filters were utilized. Using the IIR filter, beat‐by‐beat recordings from test subjects were compared to the signal averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG). Measurement parameters from normal test subjects fell within the previously specified normal range for the SAECG. The IIR filter applied to beat‐by‐beat recordings exhibited sharp frequency response and a precisely defined cutoff frequency allowing maximal attenuation of the low frequency components in the ST segment. While filter ringing was eliminated, discontinuity and distortion of the filtered waveform resulted. The FIR filter with linear phase response retained the integrity and morphology of the complex but because of its flat frequency response, the ST segment was not as well attenuated and it was more difficult to isolate late potentials. A high order FIR filter should be used if the desire is to match the frequency response of the four‐pole IIR filter, since the frequency response of the FIR filter is primarily determined by the order of the filter. With the FIR filter the waveform will be widened on both sides in time and therefore a trade‐off results between the order of the filter and the cutoff frequency. A low order and a high cutoff frequency were necessary to attenuate the low frequency components of the ST segment without significantly widening the QRS. To record high resolution ECGs without noticeable 60‐Hz noise, the magnetic field of 60 Hz should be smaller than 6.6 × 10 ‐8 Tesla. This study indicates that real‐time analysis of both His‐Purkinje potentials and late potentials in an unshielded environment is possible. (PACE, Vol. 13, December, Part II 1990)