ECG/VCG Rhythm Diagnosis Using Statistical Signal Analysis-I. Identification of Persistent Rhythms

In this paper we describe a technique for detection and classification of cardiac arrhythmias for ECG or VCG data. The approach is based on the use of R-R interval data and the development of simple models that describe the sequential behavior of such intervals characteristic of different arrhythmias which persist over a period of about six or more heartbeats. In the second part of this two-paper series, we will deal with arrhythmias that manifest themselves as abrupt changes in the observed R-R intervals.