Clinical application of arrhythmia analyzer in ICU

A microcomputer system (NEC Sanei Ins. Company Ltd.) has been developed for the continuous monitoring and storage and retrieval of data from serial ECG tracings in each ICU patient. Eight hundred and forty patients were monitored using the system. Diagnosis of ventricular arrhythmias and ST-segment change was highly accurate. However, the false positive diagnosis was sometimes generated by artifact. Diagnosis of supraventricular arrhythmias or rhythmic abnormalities were less accurate compared with that of ventricular arrhythmias. Application of microcomputer system in the space limited ICU is of benefit to identify and evaluate ECG gracings in time saving way. However, further version-up is needed to promote the accuracy of the diagnosis.