Pulse Arrival Time estimation based on Electrocardiography and Bioimpedance measurements in non-standard points

Abstract

Arterial stiffness and blood pressure can be diagnosed by estimating the pulse arrival time (PAT). To do so, electrocardiography (ECG) and impendance plethysmography (IPG) methods are employed. In this paper we propose a non-invasive, low-cost approach that uses non-standard points to measure the electrocardiogram and the bioimpedance. To determine if the ECG and BIM-IPG can be properly measured in the upper extremities open new doors to the design of comfortable portable devices that could constantly be monitoring the user outside hospital environment. This could be especially interesting for patients that suffer of chronic circulatory diseases. Performed tests in the laboratory show the validity of the proposed method.