Method and apparatus for obtaining heartbeat measurements from a ecg

Abstract

A method and apparatus for obtaining heartbeat measurements obtains ECG data from a plurality of ECG waveforms, which are in turn obtained from signals received from a plurality of ECG electrodes. QRS detection logic detects heartbeats in the ECG data. Classification logic classifies heartbeats into categories based on shape and/or timing. Alignment logic aligns the heartbeats. Representative heartbeat creation logic creates a representative heartbeat from the aligned heartbeats. Measurement logic measures various aspects of the representative heartbeat. This logic analyzes the ECG waveforms to determine an earliest QRS onset and latest QRS offset, and uses these values to perform a variety of measurements. This results in robust measurements even in very noisy environments. The representative heartbeat is displayed, either alone or with heart rate and/or other measurement information, to the cardiologist or medical professional for diagnosis of the condition of the patient's heart, such as a diagnosis of coronary artery disease, based on finding a depressed ST segment in the representative heartbeat of a patient undergoing a stress or exercise test.