Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. More than 33 million people are diagnosed with it. In most cases, arrhythmia develops at an older age, and as a result of aging, the prevalence of AF will continue to increase. Atrial fibrillation impairs quality of life and increases the risk of stroke 5 times, as well as the risk of heart failure, which increases 3 times.
Various diseases and harmful habits promote the development of AF, and the first episodes of arrhythmia that do not simply stop after some time promote its further progression. In the case of each patient, the course of AF and its complications are different – it is unknown how different environmental and lifestyle factors influence it. Scientists also have different opinions on pathological processes and their mechanisms that takes place in the atrial during arrhythmia. Only long-term observation of arrhythmia that does not limit patient’s freedom of action can provide information on trends in AF development and external factors that determine them.
An electrocardiogram provides an opportunity to observe the electrical activity of the heart. In it, the vibration waves are reflected during atrial fibrillation, the frequency of which depends on the course of the disease and the degree of atrial fibrillation. The frequency of vibration also varies daily depending on the daily rhythm, body position, physical activity, or medication. According to the frequency of vibration waves, it is possible to predict spontaneous termination of AF. Unfortunately, the quality of an electrocardiogram registered in the conditions of everyday life is severely affected by artefacts caused by movements and poor contact with electrodes. In this work, the problem of automatic analysis of electrocardiogram signals is addressed – technological solutions that provide reliable estimation of the frequency of vibration waves in long-term electrocardiogram records, are presented.
The introduction of AF monitoring technology has the potential to be useful both for physicians individualizing the patient’s treatment plan and for scientists who are trying to better understand this arrhythmia. Depending on the outcome of the monitoring, the AF treatment plan may be adjusted by designing more appropriate medications and a physical activity plan.
Duration:
2018 - 2018
