Digital analysis of RR intervals for identification of cardiac arrhythmias

This paper describes a digital computer program for the automated detection and classification of persistent cardiac rhythms. The algorithm is based on dynamic mathematical models and state estimation. The method is based on the use of RR interval data and the development of simple models that describe the sequential behavior of such intervals characteristic of different persistent rhythms. The method involves the calculation of sufficient statistics for the data. The method was tested on the actual rhythm data; it provides a rapid and accurate identification of persistent cardiac rhythms.