Analysis of ECG Signals Recorded Using Different Stimuli from Patients in Intensive Care Unit: A Case Study

Abstract

Intensive Care Units (ICUs) are more difficult and complex areas of hospital as treatment and care. In these units, the patients are monitored continuously with a bedside monitor for respiration, O2 saturation and pulse information. However, this information, which is periodically noted on the patient observation papers, may not represent a definite diagnose/follow up about the patient's health condition in all times. Therefore, in order to assist the physician in these units where the diagnosis/follow up is important, attributes are extracted from ECG signals easy-to-obtain by using signal processing methods. ECG signals were obtained from 3 patients at different days. Attributes were analyzed statistically to see if the patient reacted to oral/touch stimuli and to monitor his / her health condition. As a result, it was possible to evaluate the coma patients' response to stimuli and to follow-up for improving physiological well-being using ECG signals.