Digital filter algorithms using integer arithmetic can effectively replace analog circuits for real-time ECG signal processing on microprocessors.
Traditionally, analog circuits have been used for signal conditioning of electrocardiograms. As an alternative, algorithms implemented as programs on microprocessors can do similar filtering tasks. Also, digital filter algorithms can perform processes that are difficult or impossible using analog techniques. Presented here are a set of real-time digital filters each implemented as a subroutine. By calling these subroutines in an appropriate sequence, a user can cascade filters together to implement a desired filtering task on a single microprocessor. Included are an adaptive 60-Hz interference filter, two low-pass filters, a high-pass filter for eliminating dc offset in an ECG, an ECG data reduction algorithm, band-pass filters for use in QRS detection, and a derivative-based QRS detection algorithm. These filters achieve real-time speeds by requiring only integer arithmetic. They can be implemented on a diversity of available microprocessors.
Ahlstrom et al. (1985) studied this question.