A cepstral transformation technique for dissociation of wide QRS-type ECG signals using DCT

Given a composite signal obtained by the addition of two periodic sequences with unequal period lengths, we address the problem of detecting the perio dicity of one of the constituent rhythms with a relatively low signal power as compared to the dominant periodic component which exhibits wide deflect ions and large excursions. The cepstrally transformed discrete cosine trans form (CTDCT) of the composite sequence is used for the reliable detection o f the pulse locations in the low amplitude periodic component even for the case where the signal strengths of the two component rhythms differ by abou t 60 dB. A typical applicaton of the proposed method for the analysis of el ectrocardiographic signals with wide QRS deflections is discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.