Abstract

A method for generating audio information to indicate the presence and nature of a cardiac rhythm disturbance is disclosed. More specifically, this method produces sounds which accompany atrial and ventricular ectopic rhythms, allowing the physician to appreciate the presence of such rhythms without having to visually inspect the morphology of the electrocardiogram signal. Furthermore, the sounds differ according to the type of ectopic rhythm present. This method provides such information in real time, allowing the physician to correlate the information with the current condition of the patient. The electrocardiogram signal is analyzed by a microprocessor or microcomputer which in turn controls a tone generator to produce the audio output.