Software Detection of R-Wave in Ambulatory Monitoring

In this paper, a simple algorithm for the detection of R-wave in ECGs using a CMOS microprocessor is described. No filterings are performed, so that the total frequency spectrum is preserved. The gradient and duration of a single positive or negative slope are used as primary detection criteria. Experimental results show that the functionning of R-wave detection algorithm is reliable, even when artefacts are present. This detection scheme is therefore suitable to be implemented in portable recorder of cardiac events, performing the analysis in real-time. At the same time, the presence of a complex and burden analog detector circuit could be eliminated, as it would be in conventional recorder.