Gabor frames for classification of paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation episodes

Abstract

[EN] In this study, we propose a new classification method for early differentiation of paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation episodes, i.e. those which spontaneously or with external intervention will return to sinus rhythm within 7 days of onset from the ones where the arrhythmia is sustained for more than 7 days. Today, clinicians provide patients classification once the course of the arrhythmia has been disclosed. This classification problem is dealt with in this study. We study a sparse representation of surface electrocardiogram signals by means of Gabor frames and afterwards we apply a linear discriminant analysis. Thus, we provide an early discrimination, obtaining promising performances on a heterogeneous cohort of patients in terms of pharmacological treatment and state of progression of the arrhythmia: 95% sensitivity, 82% specificity, 89% accuracy. In this manner, the proposed method can help clinicians to choose the most appropriate treatment using the electrocardiogram, which is a widely available and non-invasive technique. This early differentiation is clinically highly significant in order to choose optimal patients who may undergo catheter ablation with higher success rates. (C) 2016 IPEM. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.