An interactive tool for the evaluation of ECG visualisation formats

Electrocardiograms are typically printed on graph paper. Based on these recordings clinicians look for changes in the various waveforms when they make a diagnosis. In some cases, however, these changes are not always obvious on the standard printed 12-lead ECG. For this reason researchers have developed different methods for presenting ECG information. This paper reports on the development of an interactive system that supports the display of ECG information in a number of differing formats. The system is currently configured to display ECGs in either the 12 lead ECG, Body Surface Potential Maps or ST Map format. The system has been designed to provide basic ECG viewing functionality and it is planned that it will be used in the evaluation of ECG interpretation skills in students undergoing training in ECG interpretation. Future work will be directed towards making this system compatible with mobile computing platforms, subsequently allowing access even when the students are not near a desktop computer.