Statistical analysis of ECG signals with focus on QT

Anna Helga Jonsdottir

AbstractIn 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.
TypeMaster's thesis [Industrial collaboration]
Year2005
PublisherInformatics and Mathematical Modelling, Technical University of Denmark, DTU
AddressRichard Petersens Plads, Building 321, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby
SeriesIMM-Thesis-2005-85
NoteSupervised by Prof. Henrik Madsen, IMM. The project was implemented in cooperation with H. Lundbeck A/S.
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BibTeX data [bibtex]
IMM Group(s)Mathematical Statistics