Pulse rate assessment: Eulerian Video Magnification vs. electrocardiography recordings

Non contact pulse rate assessment is of interest for patients with cardio-vascular diseases. We tested the feasibility of the use of regular web camera for pulse rate assessment. The Eulerian Video Magnification was used for processing of acquired video sequences. The results were compared with the pulse rate determined from the electrocardiography signals, recorded from the two electrodes positioned at left side of the chest. We present pulse rate results obtained from both methods recorded from two healthy volunteers. The comparison shows that the Eulerian Video Magnification differs from the electrocardiography for less than 5% at normal pulse rate. The results show that for heart rates that correspond to cardio-vascular diseases (e.g. tachicardia, bradicardia), the algorithm needs further modifications (higher quality camera is needed).