# file: gqrs.conf G. Moody 18 October 2007
#
# Configuration file for `gqrs' and `gqpost' applications
# To use this file, use the -c option of gqrs and gqpost:
# gqrs -c gqrs.conf ...
# gqpost -c gqrs.conf ...
# This file contains parameter definitions, which can be provided in any of
# the following forms:
# parameter = value
# parameter: value
# parameter value
# Neither parameter names nor values may contain embedded whitespace.
# The order of parameter definitions in this file is not significant, except
# that a later definition overrides any earlier definition of the same
# parameter. Two or more parameter definitions may appear on a single line if
# separated by whitespace. Empty lines, and lines beginning with `#', are
# ignored.
# The parameter values given below have been chosen for use with adult human
# ECGs. In general, pediatric and small animal ECGs have more rapid heart
# rates, and QRS complexes that are shorter and lower in amplitude.
HR 75 # Typical heart rate, in beats per minute
# RR 0.8 # Typical inter-beat interval, in seconds
# Note that HR overrides RR if both are set -- in this case, RR = 60/HR
RRdelta 0.2 # Typical difference between successive RR intervals in seconds
RRmin 0.28 # Minimum RR interval ("refractory period"), in seconds
RRmax 2.4 # Maximum RR interval, in seconds; thresholds will be adjusted
# if no peaks are detected within this interval
QS 0.07 # Typical QRS duration, in seconds
QT 0.35 # Typical QT interval, in seconds
RTmin 0.25 # Minimum interval between R and T peaks, in seconds
RTmax 0.33 # Maximum interval between R and T peaks, in seconds
QRSa 750 # Typical QRS peak-to-peak amplitude, in microvolts
QRSamin 130 # Minimum QRS peak-to-peak amplitude, in microvolts (* see note)
# For infants, these settings may yield better results than the defaults for
# adults given above:
# HR 120
# QS 0.05
# QRSa 500
# Settings for other animals
# By choosing appropriate values for HR, QS, and QRSa, gqrs and gqpost can be
# used to analyze ECGs from a wide variety of animals. In general, gqrs and
# gqpost can adapt as needed if these parameters are within a factor of 2 of
# their ideal values.
# For mammals, the typical heart rate is about 240 bpm, divided by the fourth
# root of the body mass in kilograms:
# HR ~= 240 bpm / (M^(1/4))
# (Schmidt-Nielsen K. Animal Physiology: Adaptation and Environment. Cambridge
# University Press, 1997).
# The typical QRS duration is proportional to the cube root of the mass of
# the heart, although there is evidence that for the largest mammals (elephants
# and whales), the normal QRS duration does not exceed 200 ms, suggesting that
# the His-Purkinjie system may be denser in these species (Meijler et al.,
# JACC 1992(Aug):475-479).
# QRS amplitudes vary considerably depending on electrode type and location;
# set QRSa to match the typical peak-to-peak amplitude for your recordings.
# The other settings (RR, RRdelta, RRmin, RRmax, QT, RTmax, and QRSamin) may be
# set to zero, in which case gqrs and gqpost determine reasonable values for
# them as needed from HR, QS, and QRSa.
# * SAFETY NOTE: Applicable standards do not permit ECG monitors intended for
# human use to detect QRS complexes with peak-to-peak amplitudes below 150
# microvolts, so QRSamin must not be reduced for human ECG monitoring
# applications. This regulatory requirement is intended to prevent adaptive
# detectors such as gqrs from triggering on low-amplitude noise during
# asystole.