An innovative two-channel rate and morphology method for complex arrhythmia diagnosis in impiantatile devices

Impiantatile cardioverter-defìbrillators (ICDs) are highly effective in preventing sudden cardiac death. However, false-positive diagnoses cause inappropriate device shocks estimated to be as high as 40%. To address this problem, the Augmented Two-Channel Arrhythmia Detection [A2CAD] algorithm, a real-time scheme utilizing information from both the atrial and ventricular channels, is introduced. The algorithm uses rate detection as a first stage and augments this with morphological signal analysis in rhythms that confound the rate-only diagnoses. Results from 40 patient cases indicate 100% success rate for A2CAD, validating its potential for implementation in future implantable devices.