@MASTERSTHESIS\{IMM2005-04075,
    author       = "A. H. Jonsdottir",
    title        = "Statistical analysis of {ECG} signals with focus on {QT}",
    year         = "2005",
    school       = "Informatics and Mathematical Modelling, Technical University of Denmark, {DTU}",
    address      = "Richard Petersens Plads, Building 321, {DK-}2800 Kgs. Lyngby",
    type         = "",
    note         = "Supervised by Prof. Henrik Madsen, {IMM}. The project was implemented in cooperation with H. Lundbeck A/S.",
    url          = "http://www2.compute.dtu.dk/pubdb/pubs/4075-full.html",
    abstract     = "In the process of drug development it is obligated, in many cases, to perform a study of potential prolongation of a particular interval of the electrocardiogram (ECG), the {QT} interval. The interval has gained clinical importance since a prolongation of it has been shown to induce potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias.

Because of correlation with heart rate, the length of the interval recorded at different heart rates can not be compared directly, a correction for heart rate is needed firrst. A number of formulas have been suggested for this purpose. Differences of opinion however rises regarding the most useful formula. 

In the thesis, data from a study designed to investigate potential {QT} prolongations from a certain drug, will be used to analyse the relationship between the {QT} interval and heart rate. Further, correction methods, that will allow {QT} intervals recorded at different heart rates to be compared, will be analysed. It will be shown that the most commonly used correction method in practice is inaccurate except under certain circumstances. Using the method that is found to be the optimum method of the ones discussed in the thesis, a possible drug induced {QT} prolongation of the drug in question will be analysed."
}