Clinical accuracy QRS detector with automatic parameter adjustment in an autonomous, real-time physiologic monitor

This paper presents a computationally and temporal data-compact QRS complex detection algorithm useful in embedded real-time electrocardiogram (ECG) waveform analysis. The aim of the compact algorithms is to provide high sensitivity and specificity, i.e. diagnostically useful QRS waveform detection, in a continuous ambulatory monitor setting. The proposed detector uses a multi-level approach: QRS highlighting by means of a Truncated Discrete Time Stockwell Transform (TDTST), peak discrimination, and a trained Neural Network to reduce the number of false positive QRS detections. An optimization method is presented that automatically adjust the detector's parameters to minimize the computational cost. Results demonstrate that the compact TDTST algorithm exhibits high QRS detection accuracy, an error rate of 0.31%, and remains applicable to real-time embedded physiologic ambulatory monitors.