Use Instructions

ST/AR Arrhythmia Monitoring
ECG and Arrhythmia Monitoring 6-27
ST/AR Arrhythmia Monitoring
ST/AR Arrhythmia Algorithm
Indications for Use
The ST/AR Arrhythmia Algorithm is indicated for use in instances where
the clinician decides to monitor cardiac arrhythmias of adult and pediatric
patients and/or the ST segment of adult patients to gain information for
treatment, monitor the adequacy of treatment, or to exclude causes of
symptoms.
How the ST/AR Algorithm Works
ST/AR multi-lead analysis is performed on the user-selected primary and
secondary leads. If only one lead is available for multilead, ST/AR analysis
is performed on the single available lead.
Arrhythmia analysis consists of several steps:
1 The ECG signal is pre-processed to filter out baseline wander, muscle
artifact, and signal irregularities. In addition, if the Paced status = On,
pace pulses are detected then rejected from the processing to avoid
seeing them as QRS beats.
2 Beat detection to locate the QRS complexes for further analysis.
3 Feature measurement such as R-wave height, width, and timing.
4 Beat classification. Templates are created and are matched to incoming
beats, and the appropriate beat label is determined.
5 Atrial Fibrillation Detection. Analyzes the RR intervals and P waves.
6 Ventricular Fibrillation Detection. Looks for a flutter or sinusoidal wave
pattern in both ECG channels
7 Rhythm and alarm detection. Beat labels are used to produce the values
and events needed to generate rhythms and alarms.
Working in parallel with beat detection and classification, a separate
detector examines continuously for ventricular fibrillation, asystole, and
noise.
The quality of the ECG signal is important for accurate arrhythmia analysis.
The section below provides guidelines for optimizing signals for
arrhythmia analysis.