Application of Morlet transform wavelet in the detection of paradoxical splitting of the second heart sound

This study aims at utilising wavelet transforms, namely the Morlet wavelet, in early detection of a reverse in the appearance of A2 and P2 within the second heart sound. With the collaboration of the Cardiology Department at Brighton and Sussex University Hospital in England, and using a newly build data acquisition system developed at the University of Sussex, a number of patients with LBBB (left bundle branch block), and others with fitted pacemakers, were studied. The data was then analysed with Morlet algorithm. From the displayed results it is relatively easy to detect the reverse in A2 and P2. This technique offers an effective, economic method of detecting the paradoxical splitting of S2, which is otherwise very difficult to detect with the human ear. The technique can work together with the ECG to increase the reliability of the diagnosis of LBBB cases.