Patent ID: 8014852
Filing Date: 2011-09-06
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A system for detecting a cardiac event in a subject, comprising: a first electrode configured to be attached to a subject at a predetermined location at a first time to obtain a first electrocardiogram of a subject's heart; a second electrode, identical to the first electrode, configured to be attached to the subject at the predetermined location on the subject to obtain a second electrocardiogram at a second time weeks, months or years after the first time; memory for storing digital representations of the first and second electrocardiograms; a processor programmed to retrieve the first and second electrocardiograms from the memory and to compute a time-wise integral of a QRS complex of the first electrocardiogram, to compute a time-wise integral of a QRS complex of the second electrocardiogram, and to compute a difference in the time-wise integrals of the first and second electrocardiograms, wherein the difference is directly proportional to a mass of viable myocardium in the subject's heart; and an output device for presenting the difference to a clinician for evaluation of a change in a mass of viable myocardium of the subject's heart.