HFQRS-ECG

Medgadget reader Dr. Brian A. informs us that a novel clinical tool known as High Frequency QRS ECG (HFQRS-ECG) is “a highly sensitive, real-time diagnostic and monitoring instrument to assess myocardial ischemia with the 12-lead ecg. HFQRS-ECG analyzes the ecg signal in the frequency range from 150-250Hz (above conventional ecg) and assesses ischemia by software algorithms (essentially rms voltage and signal morphology) much more precisely than conventional ST-segment analysis or other ecg methods.” The technology initially developed by NASA, has been licensed to a commercial partner, CardioSoft, a Houston based medical company, that has the following to say about HFQRS-ECG:

The HFQRS ECG is an advanced electrocardiogram that can detect and analyse real time changes in the high frequency signals present within the central portion of the QRS complex of the ecg
Several recent studies have demonstrated that alterations of these high frequency signals are more sensitive indicators for the presence of myocardial ischemia than are changes in the conventional ecg
Previous to the HFQRS ECG technology, assessment of high frequency QRS ecg signals involved arduous off-line processing and thus had not been clinical useful
The CardioSoft HFQRS ECG acquires, processes, analyzes and displays, in real time during the actual patient encounter, clinically important quantitative features and morphology of the high frequency signals in each of the 12-leads

The HFQRS-ECG is now being marketed in Europe, and is expected to hit the U.S. after FDA clearance (expected in 2006). Interesting technology. We’ll be following it.
More at CardioSoft…
CardioSoft-ECG demo download (~13MB)…