Identification of Sudden Cardiac Arrest Using the Pan-Tompkins Algorithm

In this paper, a method to identify sudden cardiac arrest is described based on the Pan-Tompkins Algorithm. Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. Sudden cardiac death occurs when the heart´s electrical system malfunctions. The SCA happens, when blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs. People who have heart disease are at increased risk for SCA. However, most SCAs happen in people who appear healthy and have no known heart disease or other risk factors for SCA. 4-5 min. of ECG of any patient is enough to detect possibility of SCD. Pan-Tompkins algorithm was used to find number of R-peaks in the ECG of a SCA patient and normal person. This method is compared to other methods. The MIT BIH database has been utilized for evaluating the algorithm.