Authors : K. Chellappan, S. Nur Hidayah Malek, R. Jaafar and A. Aminuddin
Abstract: Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is one of the most challenging heart ailments to be detected due to its nature being intermittent in early stage of its presence. The challenges become greater when early detection found to be the best treatment method. Currently, guidelines for the early detection and treatment of occult AF are limited. Electrophysiology study is most reliable noninvasive screening method used in AF detection. Electrocardiogram (ECG) is the present electrophysiological measurement in clinical practice. In this study, Photoplethysmogram (PPG) based physiological measurement is introduced through heart rate variability and cardiac cycle fitness as the potential AF screening index. Seven subjects, one normal and six clinically confirmed AF patient’s PPG were recorded. All patient’s blood profile (INR and blood glucose) and blood pressure measurement were retrieved from pass clinical record. Infographic and data visualization technique were adopted in presenting the AF presence in PPG signal. This preliminary result has provided a foundation for AF detection by using PPG waveforms. PPG is known for its simplicity in terms of cost and utility which able to provide an opportunity to be introduced as home-based AF monitoring tool.
K. Chellappan, S. Nur Hidayah Malek, R. Jaafar and A. Aminuddin, 2017. Photoplethysmography Signal in Paroxysmal and Persistence Atrial Fibrillation Patients. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 12: 1946-1951.