Monitoring of Electrocardiograms in a Coronary Care Unit By Digital Computer

Patients in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) require monitoring of the electrocardiogram for transient arrhythmias, pattern changes, and conduction defects. Present equipment displays an average heart rate and sounds alarms at arbitrary limits. Monitoring of variations in the R-R interval as an indication of arrhythmias fails to detect many significant arrhythmias and is inapplicable if the ventricular rhythm is irregular. Detection depends on relatively intense human observation of the ECG. A digital computer system has been programmed and used experimentally to analyze the "monitor" ECG on-line for pattern and arrhythmia. Electrocardiograms are transmitted from the CCU to the computer via multichannel analog dataphone. Computer program logic identifies the waves and measures a typical complex. Interpretive statements are produced every 90 seconds. The system is undergoing feasibility studies and clinical correlations will soon begin.