A quick low cost method for syncope prediction

The aim of this study is to present a method that predicts unexplained syncope or presyncope occurrences induced by a head-upright tilt-test (HUTT). The HUTT is based on the reproduction of symptoms in combination with hypotension and bradycardia induced by a tilt at 70° during 45 minutes. The main drawback is the duration of this test because, by adding the supine position of 10 minutes, the test could reach 55 minutes. Therefore, this paper proposes a new method for syncope prediction by using only the supine position. We describe the signals used to extract the features employed for the prediction and we develop the preprocessing techniques of these signals in order to increase the quality interpretation of these features. We conclude by presenting the results obtained by the use of an artificial neural network.