Microcomputer-aided system for electrocardiograms and blood pressure analysis during drug-induced transient periods

In the current experiments, we have developed a microcomputer-aided system for amplitude and duration parameter analysis of electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood pressure (BP) waveforms during the drug-induced transient period. Both ECG and BP are monitored, amplified and recorded using standard techniques. For studying the parameter variation trend, the time course of each parameter was produced. Based on these requirements, the present system combined data acquisition, data selection, data analysis, graph plotting and some experimental techniques to meet the need. Generalized human ECG and arterial BP waveforms were used in this system to expand its usable ranges. From the time course graph plotting, the variation trend of each parameter during each drug-induced transient period was obtained thereafter. The main advantages of this system include: (1) transient analysis--the system is suitable for complete and precise parameter analysis of human and animal ECG and BP in the drug-induced transient period; (2) ease of construction--the simplified hardware interface and IBM PC-AT compatible system make this system easy to be constructed; (3) ease of operation--modular data acquisition, processing and analysis procedures make this system easy to be operated; (4) high expansion potential--the modular hardware interface and modular software procedure make this system easy to be expanded; (5) wide utility--the system can be applied to any other research areas which involve the parameter analysis of ECG and BP.