ECG Analysis Module for Windows

The MLS360/6 ECG Analysis Module for Windows automatically detects and reports PQRST onset, amplitude and intervals, either online or offline.

The ECG Analysis Module should be used with the latest version of LabChart. Click here for the latest LabChart Update for Windows.

LabChart recording of an ECG signal with a selection of ECG Analysis Module windows including ECG Averaging, ECG Table, ECG Waterfall Plot and ECG QT versus Time Plot.

See ECG Analysis in action. The following movie download illustrates online ECG Analysis and highlights the effects of drug induced QT prolongation.

Download Windows Media File ECG Analysis.wmv (3.6 MB. Requires Windows Media Player)

The raw data is unaltered by any calculations to ensure that the ECG can be reanalyzed. Default detection and analysis parameters are included for human, pig, dog, rabbit, guinea pig, rat and mice ECG. Detection settings can be customized at any time for optimization or for use with other animals.

The ECG Analysis Module should be used with the latest version of LabChart for Windows.

ECG Settings

The ECG Settings dialog allows the user to select settings for a particular animal, as well as customizing the settings for optimal identification of the waveforms in the recorded ECG. The user also has the option to average a specified number of beats, or all the beats across a specified time period or in a block.

ECG Beat Classifier

The ECG Beat Classifier enables the selection and removal of unsatisfactory beats or groups of beats. The left pane allows identification of beats with excessive 'noise' such as muscle activity. The pane on the right identifies beats with different RR intervals or altered QRS complexes. This pane enables ectopic beats and other cardiac arrhythmias to be easily identified. By positioning the movable red box limit lines over the desired group or groups and identified beats, the user selects the beats to be included for analysis. With the click of the "Accept All" button the user is able to include all the beats in the left and right pane for analysis.

Beat Markers

Once the appropriate setting has been chosen, the ECG Analysis Module automatically detects the ECG beats according to the ECG Settings.

Beat marker colors correspond to the signal's 'form' and 'noise' factor selections in the ECG Beat Classifier View. The first beat marker is always displayed in gray. Beat markers included in analysis are green. Red marker color indicates exclusion from analysis based on signal noise. Blue color indicates exclusion due to form factor, and pink signifies exclusion due to noise as well as form.

ECG Averaging View

The ECG Analysis Module averages any chosen ECG beats within an ECG recording. The number of ECG beats averaged and analyzed together is dependent on the user's selection in the ECG Settings dialog.

Apart from reducing the effects of noise and movement artifacts, averaging is useful when comparing effects on the ECG before and after experimental intervention. In the Averaging View, each average can be viewed individually and all PQRST markers can be adjusted manually if required. A red marker indicates that it was edited manually. The user also has the option of clearing manual edits by pressing the 'Clear Edits' button.

ECG Table View

The ECG Table View logs and displays selected ECG parameters. Available parameters are chosen in the ECG Table View dialog.

Values for each ECG average are automatically logged to the ECG Table View and can be added to the Data Pad (LabChart's internal spreadsheet) or the parameters can also be exported to graphing or statistical programs for further analysis. Real-time exporting to Excel can be performed through OLE linking.

The ECG Table View displays one row for each averaged beat. Any manual edits to markers in the Averaging View are displayed in red for the corresponding row in the ECG Table View. Rows are linked to the beats in the Averaging View so that highlighting a row will automatically show the corresponding averaged group, as well as these beats located within the LabChart data file.

ECG Channel Calculations

Each of the parameters calculated by the ECG Analysis module can be displayed in a separate LabChart Channel. ECG Channel calculations display the parameters of the averaged beats as they appear in the ECG Table View. This is particularly useful for online calculations.

ECG Plots

Plots of QT Interval versus Time, QT Interval versus RR Interval and RR Interval versus Time can be automatically generated. These tools are ideal for illustrating effects of drugs on the interval times of an ECG waveform, in real time.

Waterfall plots can also be easily created using the ECG Analysis Module. Waterfall plots provide a three dimensional representation of an ECG. The generated plot is easily enlarged, reduced and rotated to provide the preferred viewing perspective.

Waterfall Plots of Mouse (top) and Rabbit (bottom) ECG. Note the prolongated QT interval in the Rabbit ECG plot.

See the Waterfall Plot in action. The following movie download illustrates the generation and viewing of the Waterfall Plot.

Windows Media File WaterFall.wmv (3.4 MB. Requires Windows Media Player)

Available as Part of LabChart Pro

The ECG Analysis Module is also available as part of LabChart Pro. The LabChart Pro software package includes every LabChart Module. Existing LabChart users and PowerLab system purchasers can upgrade to LabChart Pro at a special price. If you need more information please contact your ADInstruments Representative.