Improved robust T-wave alternans detectors

Med Biol Eng Comput. 2015 Apr;53(4):361-70. doi: 10.1007/s11517-015-1243-5. Epub 2015 Feb 3.

Abstract

New statistical and spectral detectors, the modified matched pairs t test, the extended spectral method and the modified spectral method, were proposed for T-wave alternans (TWA) detection gaining robustness according to trend and single-frequency interferences. They were compared to classic detectors such as matched pairs t test, unpaired t test, spectral method, generalized likelihood ratio test and estimated TWA amplitude within a simulation framework and applied to real data. The optimal detection threshold was selected by using a full Monte-Carlo simulation where signals, with and without alternans episodes, were corrupted by Gaussian noise with different power and single-frequency interferences with different tones. All the combinations of noise and frequency were selected and repeated 500 times in order to compute probability of detection ([Formula: see text]) and the false alarm probability ([Formula: see text]), providing ROC curves. The study group consisted of 50 patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (age: [Formula: see text]; LVEF: [Formula: see text]), who were paced (ventricular pacing) at 100 bpm. Two-minute recordings were analyzed. The XYZ orthogonal lead system was used. The best performance was reached by using the modified matched pairs t test (in comparison with the spectral method and other reference methods).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / diagnosis*
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / physiopathology
  • Defibrillators, Implantable
  • Electrocardiography / methods*
  • Electrodes
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted*