Abstract: The problem of local bandwidth of a typical electrocardiogram (ECG) is the first issue to consider when developing a structure-dependent algorithm for ECG compression

The problem of local bandwidth of a typical electrocardiogram (ECG) is the first issue to consider when developing a structure-dependent algorithm for ECG signals compression. Our aim at this stage is to find out the bandwidth variability that means the bandwidth of every ECG structure taking into account the possible morphological changes, noise and so forth. The research done answered a very important question: “what signal bandwidth is expected at any time in an ECG?” It has been found that only about 19.4% of transmission channel throughput capabilities are really used for ECG signal. The presented results justify the hope for high compression ratio and low distortion of an algorithm based on the prerecognised ECG structures (P, QRS and T waves localisation).