Development of a method for data integration to aid in decision making in coronary patients with non-malignant ventricular arrhythmias

Knowledge of the clinical features of selected risk groups and proper processing of different parameters, obtained noninvasively aid in making correct therapeutic decisions in an evolving process. A system, based on a electrocardiograph and a notebook PC, has been designed. The system computes the following parameters: percent arrhythmia, heart rate variability, QT dispersion, ECG criteria for ventricular hypertrophy and late potentials. Left ventricular ejection fraction and diastolic function (obtained by conventional Doppler ultrasound) and other clinical parameters are keyed in. The system displays trends in the electric monitoring parameters and left ventricular function providing an increase in sensibility and specificity related to prediction of arrhythmic events and eventually computing a "vulnerability index" which is considered useful in arriving at decisions concerning patients with complex cases.<>