Time-frequency analysis of heart-rate variability

We present the results of a study that shows the viability of a new technique for the diagnosis and monitoring of myocardial ischemia that is based on the utilization of heart-rate variability (HRV) information. Ischemia is understood as being the lack of oxygen supply to the heart, a situation that in an extreme and irreversible case results in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), a reason for which early detection and treatment is of great interest. The treatment of ischemia can be approached via the evolution of the ECG, and especially from one of the parameters extracted from it-the ST segment (ECG signal between S and T waves) deviation. The utility of this measure is found in its capacity for detecting abnormalities in the conduction of the cardiac impulse that are associated with the presence of ischemia.