Automatic detection of T wave alternans using tensor decompositions in multilead ECG signals

Physiol Meas. 2017 Jul 26;38(8):1513-1528. doi: 10.1088/1361-6579/aa7876.

Abstract

Objective: T wave alternans (TWA) is a promising non-invasive risk stratification tool for sudden cardiac death which can be detected from surface ECG. This paper proposes a novel method to automatically detect TWA based on tensor decomposition methods.

Approach: Two different tensor decomposition approaches are examined and compared, namely canonical polyadic decomposition and the more generalized variation PARAFAC2 which allows the T waves to shift in time.

Results and significance: Results on different artificial and clinical signals show that the presented methods are a robust and reliable way for TWA detection, and show the potential benefit of tensors in ECG signal processing.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / diagnostic imaging
  • Automation
  • Death, Sudden, Cardiac
  • Electrocardiography*
  • Humans
  • Risk Assessment
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted*
  • Signal-To-Noise Ratio