Abstract

Digital signal processing algorithms for cardiac recordings have been paid much attention in recently disclosed patents. In this second part of our review of the state-of-art patents, systems for sudden cardiac death prediction, as well as for apnea analysis, are summarized. Advanced digital signal processing algorithms for cardiac electric signals are specifically reviewed, including independent component decompositions, and nonlinear methods (chaos, fractals, and entropies). Finally, systems aiming to solve the inverse problem in electrocardiography are presented. Concluding remarks on these systems and on the whole review are discussed.

Keywords: Electrocardiogram, electrogram, digital signal processing, cardiac signal, heart rate variability, T wave alternans, signal-averaged ECG, ischemia