Method and apparatus for assessing myocardial electrical stability

摘要

The temporal pattern of cycle-to-cycle variability in physiologic waveforms, such as alternans, is assessed by applying transducers to a subject, recording physiologic signals, and analyzing the cycle-to-cycle variation in waveform morphology. Preferred embodiments include the application of physiologic stress to the subject in order to adjust heart rate to the desired range, real-time analysis of waveform variability, reduction in the effect of intercycle variability on waveform variability, improved techniques for determining the statistical significance of the amplitude of a temporal pattern of variability, handling of abnormal beats such as atrial and ventricular premature beats, and assessment of the statistical significance of a measured level of a temporal pattern of variability.