International Congress on Cardiovascular Technologies 

About: International Congress on Cardiovascular Technologies is an academic conference. The conference publishes majorly in the area(s): Sternum (arthropod anatomy) & Formal verification. Over the lifetime, 19 publications have been published by the conference receiving 106 citations.

Integrated Simulation of Implantable Cardiac Pacemaker Software and Heart Models

Abstract: This paper presents an approach for integrated simulation of pacemaker models and heart models, each developed with the appropriate formalism. Heart models are developed in MathWorks, a powerful tool for the simulation of complex systems, whereas pacemakers are developed in PVS, a theorem-proving environment enabling both simulation and formal verification of safety requirements. The two tools communicate over a Web-based interface, which makes it possible to integrate the simulation of the MathWorks model of the heart and the PVS model of the pacemaker. In this paper, we illustrate the architecture developed for integrated simulation of the pacemaker-heart system and present an example application for realistic models.

Multichannel QRS Morphology Clustering - Data Preprocessing for Ultra-High-Frequency ECG Analysis

Abstract: Ultra-high-frequency ECG (UHF-ECG) in a range of 500–1,000 Hz has been tested as a new information source for analysis of left-ventricle dyssynchrony and other myocardial abnormalities. The power of UHF signals is extremely low, for which reason an averaging technique is used to improve signal-to-noise ratio. Since ventricle dyssynchrony is different for various QRS complex types, the detected QRS complexes must be clustered into morphology groups prior to averaging. Here, we present a fully-automated method for clustering. The first goal of the method is to separate previously detected QRS complexes into different morphology groups. The second goal is to precisely fit the QRS annotation marks to the exact same position against the QRS shape. The method is based on the Pearson correlation and is optimized for parallel processing. In our application with UHF-ECG data the number of detected groups was 3.24 ± 3.41 (mean and standard deviation over 1,030 records). The method can be used in other areas also where the clustering of repetitive signal formations is needed. For validation purposes, the method was tested on the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia and INCART databases from Physionet with results of purity of 98.24 % and 99.50 %.

Heart rhythm analysis using ECG recorded with a novel sternum based patch technology

Abstract: According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death globally. Early diagnosis and treatment of many of these patients depend on ambulatory electrocardiography recordings. Therefore a novel wireless patch technology has been designed for easy, reliable long-term ECG recordings. The device is designed for high compliance and low patient burden. This novel patch technology is CE approved for ambulatory ECG recording of two ECG channels on the sternum. This paper describes a clinical pilot study regarding the usefulness of these ECG signals for heart rhythm analysis. A clinical technician with experience in ECG interpretation selected 200 noise-free 7 seconds ECG segments from 25 different patients. These 200 ECG segments were evaluated by two medical doctors according to their usefulness for heart rhythm analysis. The first doctor considered 98.5% of the segments useful for rhythm analysis, whereas the second doctor considered 99.5% of the segments useful for rhythm analysis. The conclusion of this pilot study indicates that two channel ECG recorded on the sternum is useful for rhythm analysis and could be used as input to diagnosis together with other clinical tests and medical history.

Sedentary behaviour, physical activity, physical fitness and subclinical atherosclerosis in 11-12 years-old children

Abstract: Aim: Examine the influence of sedentary behaviour (SED), physical activity (PA), muscular strength (MS) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) on subclinical atherosclerosis in 11-12 years-old children. Methods: We assessed intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery in 366 children aged 11-12 years-old (191 girls). Measures included IMT assessed with high-resolution ultrasonography, pulse pressure (PP), a maximal handgrip strength test, body mass index, waist circumference, body fat mass and lean mass (LEAN) from DXA and CRF determined using a maximal cycle ergometer test. SED and PA were assessed by accelerometry. MS was adjusted for LEAN yielding relative MS (RMS). Association between IMT and RMS adjusted for SED, PA and CRF were tested with multiple linear regression analysis. Differences in risk factors among RMS groups were tested with ANOVA/ANCOVA. Results: RMS was related to IMT independently of PA, CRF, age, gender, maturity and PP (p<0.05). As compared with the higher RMS group, subjects in the lower RMS group had increased body composition phenotypes, hemodynamics and IMT, and lower moderate-vigorous PA, MS and CRF (p<0.05). Full modelling exposed the detrimental and independent role of RMS in arterial structure in 11-12 years-old children. Greater RMS is associated with improved vascular health even in children.