ECG processing system to integrate data to aid in secondary prevention involving post-infarction risk patients

Proper processing of different parameters as well as knowledge of the clinical features of certain risk groups is of use in decision-making throughout the application of a given therapy. An interactive operational system has been designed for follow-up and secondary prevention in ambulatory patients with high risk ventricular arrhythmias subsequent to acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The system is based on a conventional 12-lead computerized electrocardiograph and a laptop PC. The aim is to improve the acquisition and on-line analysis of the following conventional ECG parameters; percent arrhythmia, heart rate variability, QT dispersion, ECG criteria for ventricular hypertrophy and late potentials. Left ventricular ejection fraction, diastolic function and other clinical parameters are keyed in. The system provides increased sensitivity and specificity for the prediction of arrhythmic events and eventually for computing a vulnerability index which is considered useful in arriving at decisions concerning patients with complex cases.