Database Open Access

ANSI/AAMI EC13 Test Waveforms

Published: Jan. 3, 2003. Version: 1.0.0

Please include the standard citation for PhysioNet: (show more options)
Goldberger, A., Amaral, L., Glass, L., Hausdorff, J., Ivanov, P. C., Mark, R., ... & Stanley, H. E. (2000). PhysioBank, PhysioToolkit, and PhysioNet: Components of a new research resource for complex physiologic signals. Circulation [Online]. 101 (23), pp. e215–e220.

Abstract

This dataset is a collection of ECG recordings, including both synthetic and real waveforms. Each recording contains one ECG signal sampled at 720 Hz with 12-bit resolution. The recordings are intended to be used for testing a variety of devices that monitor the electrocardiogram.

Description

The files in this set can be used for testing a variety of devices that monitor the electrocardiogram. The recordings include both synthetic and real waveforms. For details on these test waveforms and how to use them, please refer to section 5.1.2.1, paragraphs (e) and (g) in the ANSI/AAMI publication on cardiac monitors, heart rate meters, and alarms [1].

Each recording contains one ECG signal sampled at 720 Hz with 12-bit resolution. The recordings can be read using the WFDB Software Package.

The record names refer to the illustrations in the reference below (Figures 3 and 4 on pages 25 and 26 of that document). Note that EC13 specifies that the tachycardia waveforms in Figure 4 should be presented following an abrupt transition from synthetic waveforms specified in Figure 6 of EC13; thus the aami4* records each begin with 30 seconds of triangle waveforms, followed by the Figure 4 waveforms.

The records named aami4a_d and aami4a_h, etc., contain the half-size and double-size versions of the Figure 4 data that are mentioned in the standard. The names are misleading, since the _d records contain the half-size versions, and the _h records contain the double-size versions, the opposite of what the record names imply. The names are those given by AAMI, the source of these files, and they have not been changed, in hopes of avoiding further confusion. Thanks to Humberto Valdes for pointing out this issue.

In addition to these waveforms, EC13 specifies the use of specific synthesized waveforms that can be created using the ECG waveform generator for Matlab/Octave available on PhysioNet [3].

References

  1. Cardiac monitors, heart rate meters, and alarms [American National Standard (ANSI/AAMI EC13:2002)]. Arlington, VA: Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, 2002.
  2. Moody, G. WFDB Software Package. PhysioNet. https://doi.org/10.13026/gjvw-1m31.
  3. Harriott F. ECG waveform generator for Matlab/Octave. PhysioNet. https://physionet.org/content/ecgwavegen/
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Access Policy:
Anyone can access the files, as long as they conform to the terms of the specified license.

License (for files):
Open Data Commons Attribution License v1.0

Discovery

DOI (version 1.0.0):
https://doi.org/10.13026/C2WC7M

Topics:
ansi standard ecg

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Files

Total uncompressed size: 1.1 MB.

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Folder Navigation: <base>
Name Size Modified
RECORDS 78 B 2002-12-19
SHA256SUMS.txt 1.6 KB 2019-02-20
aami3a.dat 84.1 KB 2002-12-19
aami3a.hea 97 B 2002-12-19
aami3b.dat 84.3 KB 2002-12-19
aami3b.hea 96 B 2002-12-19
aami3c.dat 84.3 KB 2002-12-19
aami3c.hea 96 B 2002-12-19
aami3d.dat 67.4 KB 2002-12-19
aami3d.hea 96 B 2002-12-19
aami4a.dat 127.4 KB 2002-12-19
aami4a.hea 99 B 2002-12-19
aami4a_d.dat 127.4 KB 2002-12-19
aami4a_d.hea 104 B 2002-12-19
aami4a_h.dat 127.4 KB 2002-12-19
aami4a_h.hea 105 B 2002-12-19
aami4b.dat 127.4 KB 2002-12-19
aami4b.hea 99 B 2002-12-19
aami4b_d.dat 127.4 KB 2002-12-19
aami4b_d.hea 104 B 2002-12-19
aami4b_h.dat 127.4 KB 2002-12-19
aami4b_h.hea 106 B 2002-12-19