Benchmarking of a T-wave alternans detection method based on empirical mode decomposition. (July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Blanco-Velasco, Manuel; Goya-Esteban, Rebeca; Cruz-Roldán, Fernando; García-Alberola, Arcadi; Rojo-Álvarez, José Luis
• Is Part Of: Computer methods and programs in biomedicine. Volume 145(2017)
• Page Start: 147
• Page End: 155
• Publication Date: 2017-07
• Subjects: Empirical mode decomposition (EMD) -- Bootstrap resampling -- Repolarization -- T-wave alternans (TWA) -- Spectral method (SM) -- Electrocardiogram (ECG); Medicine -- Computer programs -- Periodicals; Biology -- Computer programs -- Periodicals; Computers -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Logiciels -- Périodiques; Biologie -- Logiciels -- Périodiques; Biology -- Computer programs; Medicine -- Computer programs; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2017.04.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0169-2607

Abstract

Highlights: A method to determine the performance of a TWA detection system is proposed. The study accomplishes the detection of randomized alternans episodes to characterize the false alarm. A method based on empirical mode decomposition is evaluated using Bootstrap resampling. Abstract: Background and objective : T-wave alternans (TWA) is a fluctuation of the ST-T complex occurring on an every-other-beat basis of the surface electrocardiogram (ECG). It has been shown to be an informative risk stratifier for sudden cardiac death, though the lack of gold standard to benchmark detection methods has promoted the use of synthetic signals. This work proposes a novel signal model to study the performance of a TWA detection. Additionally, the methodological validation of a denoising technique based on empirical mode decomposition (EMD), which is used here along with the spectral method, is also tackled. Methods : The proposed test bed system is based on the following guidelines: (1) use of open source databases to enable experimental replication; (2) use of real ECG signals and physiological noise; (3) inclusion of randomized TWA episodes. Both sensitivity ( Se ) and specificity ( Sp ) are separately analyzed. Also a nonparametric hypothesis test, based on Bootstrap resampling, is used to determine whether the presence of the EMD block actually improves the performance. Results : The results show an outstanding specificity when the EMD block is used, even in very noisy conditions (0.96 compared to 0.72 for SNR = 8 dB), being always superior than that of the conventional SM alone. Regarding the sensitivity, using the EMD method also outperforms in noisy conditions (0.57 compared to 0.46 for SNR=8 dB), while it decreases in noiseless conditions. Conclusions : The proposed test setting designed to analyze the performance guarantees that the actual physiological variability of the cardiac system is reproduced. The use of the EMD-based block in noisy environment enables the identification of most patients with fatal arrhythmias.