A robust-digital QRS-detection algorithm for arrhythmia monitoring

The success of automated patient monitoring is primarily dependent on the ability to detect normal as well as bizarre QRS-complexes. In this paper a new robust single lead QRS-detection algorithm is presented. The QRS detector can be separated into five different blocks, namely, a noise filter, a differentiator, an energy collector, a minimal distance classifier, and a minimax trimmer. Each block accounts for some characteristic features of QRS complexes (steepness, duration, etc.). The time delay introduced by this algorithm for making a decision is less then one second, allowing real-time applications. The performance of the QRS detector is analyzed and results are presented.