Method of classifying heart rhythms by analyzing several morphology defining metrics derived for a patient's QRS complex
First Claim
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1. A method of classifying heart rhythms of a patient by means of electrogram morphology, comprising the steps of:
- storing a first set of at least two morphology-defining metrics derived from a QRS complex of a normal electrogram, said electrogram having a width and an amplitude, said metrics defining the shape of said electrogram including at least one of said width and amplitude;
establishing bounds of normal variation for said metrics which are combined to define a decision surface that includes first and second regions such that said first region represents normal heartbeats and said second region represents abnormal heartbeats;
providing an electrogram of a patient'"'"'s heart rhythm;
measuring a second set of metrics for a given heartbeat from said patient'"'"'s electrogram, said metrics of said second set corresponding to said metrics of said first set;
comparing the metrics of said second set with the metrics of said first set to decide which of said regions said given heartbeat falls into and to classify said given heartbeat as either normal or abnormal based on said decision;
repeating said measuring and comparing steps for a plurality of times; and
,if a number of heartbeats are found to be abnormal, diagnosing the patient'"'"'s heart rhythm as ventricular arrhythmia.
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Abstract
A method, useable in implantable cardioverter defibrillators, for classifying heart rhythms of a patient by means of electrogram morphology. A number of features (metrics) of the electrogram are measured to form a description of the shape of individual electrograms, and the metrics are then converted into a cardiac rhythm diagnosis by means of a pattern classification technique.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of classifying heart rhythms of a patient by means of electrogram morphology, comprising the steps of:
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storing a first set of at least two morphology-defining metrics derived from a QRS complex of a normal electrogram, said electrogram having a width and an amplitude, said metrics defining the shape of said electrogram including at least one of said width and amplitude; establishing bounds of normal variation for said metrics which are combined to define a decision surface that includes first and second regions such that said first region represents normal heartbeats and said second region represents abnormal heartbeats; providing an electrogram of a patient'"'"'s heart rhythm; measuring a second set of metrics for a given heartbeat from said patient'"'"'s electrogram, said metrics of said second set corresponding to said metrics of said first set; comparing the metrics of said second set with the metrics of said first set to decide which of said regions said given heartbeat falls into and to classify said given heartbeat as either normal or abnormal based on said decision; repeating said measuring and comparing steps for a plurality of times; and
,if a number of heartbeats are found to be abnormal, diagnosing the patient'"'"'s heart rhythm as ventricular arrhythmia. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification