ECG QRS Detection

Over the past few years, there has been an increased trend toward processing of the electrocardiogram (ECG) using microcomputers. A survey of literature in this research area indicates that systems based on microcomputers can perform needed medical services in an extremely efficient manner. In fact, many systems have already been designed and implemented to perform signal processing tasks such as 12-lead off-line ECG analysis, Holter tape analysis, and real-time patient monitoring. All these applications require an accurate detection of the QRS complex of the ECG. For example, arrhythmia monitors for ambulatory patients analyze the ECG in real time (Pan and Tompkins, 1985), and when an arrhythmia occurs, the monitor stores a time segment of the abnormal ECG. This kind of monitor requires an accurate QRS recognition capability. Thus, QRS detection is an important part of many ECG signal processing systems. This chapter discusses a few of the many techniques that have been developed to detect the QRS complex of the ECG. It begins with a discussion of the power spectrum of the ECG and goes on to review a variety of QRS detection algorithms.