Spectral Characteristics Estimation of PCG Signals based on ARMAX Nonlinear Modeling

R. Bassam1, A.K. Abbas2, R.M. Kasim3

1 2,3

University of Applied Sciences-Juelich,/Biomedical Engineering Dept, Aachen University of Applied Sciences/Biomedical Engineering Dept. RTWH-Aachen

Abstract The objective of this paper is to apply a new method in modeling and the hemodynamic characteristics for PCG-signals (phonocardiography), and examine the performance of spectral properties estimation through different blood flow pattern. The performance of efficient parametric ARMAX methods in estimating the spectral characteristics of mitral heart valve sounds. The parametric methods used were autoregressive (AR) techniques based on the wiener algorithm and linear predictive methods, an autoregressive-moving average with external input (ARMAX) technique based on wavelet decomposition, as well as delay inferometric method. Algorithms were tested on sounds obtained from patients with mitral regurgitation in mitral valve positions. Using these techniques, the spectrum produced by valvular regurgitation has been characterized and identified. This paper represents the new trends in PCG system identification. The paper also considers factors such as the suitability of predicting algorithms, implementation and integration of these algorithms, in an Auscultation Computer Aided Diagnosis (AuCAD), platform as well as the real time PCG Interpretation via optimal linear predictive methods. Keywords PCG, ARMAX, Nonlinear Spectrometric characteristics, Identification. Modeling,

A. PCG Data Acquisition And Signal Processing Method PCG signals acquired using Littman 6x32 channel high-resolution digital stethoscope with 32-bit ADC data conversion system and adaptive data converter-interface,12 subjects have been participated in the experiment with different grouping parameters (7 normal and 5 with deviated murmured heart sounds) the illustration of different categorical patient group based on the aim of experiment to evaluate and estimate the spectral information characteristics in different cases , analysis and computational platform were the data interpreted and analyzed through MATLAB platform and wavelets analysis tools and System Identification toolbox on portable medical analysis module, Nonlinear modeling criteria using ARX and ARMAX methods alternatively in which spectral information were identified through the computational chain.
M itral V alve P lot Us ing a CW T 1 0.8 0.6 0.4 Amplitude (V) 0.2 0 -0.2 -0.4 -0.6 -0.8 -1 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 Tim e (m s ec ) 2.5 3 3.5 x 10
4

I. INTRODUCTION Heart sounds are complex and highly nonstationary signals and have been known to be quasi stationary signals for a long time. The "beats" associated with these sounds are reacted in the signal by periods of relatively high activity and rhythmic energy style, alternating with comparatively long intervals of low activity. The "Music of the Heart" can be classified into two sound components: Lub and Dub. Lub is the first sound and Dub is the second sound. They are also referred to as S1and S2. These sounds follow each other in a cyclic fashion In addition to S1 and S2, which are always present, third and fourth heart sounds (S3 and S4) may also be heard. If present, S3 occurs shortly after S2. When S4 is audible, it occurs shortly before S1.

Fig.1 Typical recording of PCG signal tracing from microphone attached to human chest [5].

B. Extraction Of PCG Spectral Information PCG Spectrometric properties can be extracted from the Short-Time Fourier Transformation (STFT) as it estimates the power spectral density of successive waveform and computed these transformation will lead to periodic estimation of energy spikes within the waveform. Fig.2 referred to spectral plotting of the PCG waveform by applying debauches wavelets transform in which indicating

N.A. Abu Osman, F. Ibrahim, W.A.B. Wan Abas, H.S. Abd Rahman, H.N. Ting (Eds.): Biomed 2008, Proceedings 21, pp. 242246, 2008 www.springerlink.com Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2008

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II. ARMAX METHOD The AR model type is the backbone of time series analysis in practice. In theory, it is a model with simple relations between the parameters and the autocorrelation function. Both computing parameters for a given autocorrelation function and the reverse problem are simple with Yule-Walker relations. Finding the parameters for a given MA autocorrelation function was much more difficult and is only easily obtained for a single MA(1) parameter with (1.1). If a few observations of stochastic data are available, the best AR model order is often greater than 0.1N, where N is the number of observations. If the model order is not very much smaller than the sample size N, say less than 0.1N,[3] showed that deviations from asymptotic theory become important. This requires some care because the outcome of AR estimation in finite samples depends on the algorithms used. The finite-sample theory empirically describes the different outcomes of those algorithms. The usual theory in the majority of the literature is asymptotic. It is the same for all AR estimation algorithms, and it gives no explanation for the observed differences among estimation methods [4]. The notation AR(p) refers to the autoregressive model of order p. The AR(p) model is written
Xt c

Fig.2 Wavelets spectral coefficient extraction based on Debauchies decomposition methods [3].

M X
i 1

i t i  H t

(1)

Where ( M1,........M p ) are the parameters of the model, c is

Fig.3 Time plot of PCG-spectral marking in vicinity of murmurs auscultation themes [4].

different mitral regurgitation flow turbulence. Fig.2 illustrates spectral pattern of PCG signal using adaptive wavelets transform technique with Debauchies (Db) transformation, the information provided distinct view for principal blood flow pattern through valvular system. The debauchies Db wavelets with combination with ARMAX method allow researcher to decompose the spatial and temoral characterstics of PCG signal and represnted the stable methods as the results of PCG modeling and estimation illustrated , Db-ARMAX method will considearbly masked the artifact associated with data acquistion of heart sound and this in turn improve system performance of PCG diagnosis in clinical enviroment.

a constant and H t is an error term. The constant term is omitted by many authors for simplicity. An autoregressive model is essentially an infinite impulse response filter with some additional interpretation placed on it. Some constraints are necessary on the values of the parameters of this model in order that the model remains stationary. For example, processes in the AR (1) model with |1| >1 are not stationary in its characterstics. A. Calculation of AR parameters The AR (p) model is given by the eq.1; It is based on parameters where i=1,...,p. Those parameters may be calculated using least squares regression or the Yule-Walker equations: Where m = 0, ..., p, yielding p + 1 equations. m is the autocorrelation function of X, is the standard deviation of the input noise process, and m is the Kronecker delta function. In this approach setting the regressor at input and output nodes for data flow, with digital filter characteristics specified in regressor block; were the computed coefficient

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R. Bassam, A.K. Abbas, R.M. Kasim

from this filter are fed into two categorical block of linear and nonlinear response of computed coefficients [3].

B. Autoregressive moving average model with exogenous inputs model (armax model) The notation ARMAX (p,q,b) refers to the model with p autoregressive terms, q moving average terms and b eXogenous inputs terms. This model contains the AR(p) and MA(q) models and a linear combination of the last b terms of a known and external time series dt. It is given by:
Xt

Ht 

M X  T H  K d
i t i i t i i 1 i 1 i 1

i t i

(2)

where K1,...,Kb are the parameters of exogenous input dt. III. CORRELATING PCG SIGNALS WITH MODULATOR SYSTEM.
Fig.3 Different approach for PCG signal system identifcation and modleing based on linear and nonlinear state estimation methods[5].

Correlation models for PCG signal differ from regression models in that each variable (yis and xis) plays a

Fig.4, illustrates the block diagram of nonlinear regressor system based on ARMA method where the moving average filters embedded at the input channel in system identification scheme.

Fig.4 Block diagram of Nonlinear modeling system of PCG signal based on autoregressive method [6].

Fig.5 Correlation diagram of input and output signals in ARMAX-node estimator system [3].

Fig.6 Correlation FFT-plot of mitral regurgitation (mr) PCG signal.

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symmetrical role in marking hemodynamic events , with neither variable designated as a response or predictor variable. They are viewed as relational, instead of predictive in this blood flow process. PCG Correlation models can be very useful for making inferences about any one hemodynamic variable relative to another, or to a group of variables i.e. valvular or vascular flow distrubance. Using the correlation models in terms of y and single or multiple xis, where the correlation of PCG signal spotting on the main relations of spectral energy of processed signals and the auscultation scheme to be identified according to the PCG time series estimation. Fig.6 presents the PCG signal correlation for different mitral regurgitation valve dysfunction schemes , this correltaion graph allows clinicians to localize common features for a varieteis of auscultation waveforms. Approperiate marking events that locate the turbulation in PCG model. Typical corelation plot of heart sound are as illustrated in Fig.6 Correlation models differ from regression models in that each variable (yis and xis) plays a symmetrical role, with either variable designated as a response or predictor variable. They are viewed as relational, instead of predictive in this process. Correlation models can be very useful for making inferences about any one variable relative to another, or to a group of variables. We use the correlation models in terms of y and single or multiple xis. IV. MODEL SIMULATION RESULTS The simulation result of the identified model base on system spectra, extracted from delay Inferemometric analysis; shows a convinced delay time, as illustrated in Fig.5. The impulse response of the identified system shows the confidence interval through the impulse activation input. The effective time delay manipulation, based on parametric model is derived by the ARMAX technique. Considering the mitral regurgitation as noise like signal with variance X=0.66, the correlation peaks may provide information to predict hemodynamic abnormalities within one cardiac cycle. Fig.6 presents the three most important peaks on the PCG spectral plot. It is clearly seen that the peaks in spectral domain shifted to higher frequency band for abnormal patients due to the murmurs occurrence. When the frequency values is examined in point of recurrent S1 and S2, that the most of the significant peaks are on the diagonal line of systolic waveform, this will make clear view of turbulence flow patterns. PCG signal spectrum providing investigators with prospective view of different hemodynamic behavior. The system output from ARMAX well integrate as well in automated auscultation Computerizied Aided Daignosis system (AuCAD) module.

The overall loop implement in computational workstation unit, therefore making the diagnosis process accessable to cardiologist board. Modleing of PCG signal based on performing auto regression technique will replace many of the complicated processing sequence based on FFT and STFT methods. V. CONCLUSION Using these methods, the spectral modeling of PCG signals produced by mitral regurgitated heart valve sounds which have been analysed and characterized. It has been shows that hemodynamic characteristics of mitrla valves, leaky valves and valves with stiffening leaflets each exhibit unique spectral characteristic. ARMAX methods have a powerful application in biosignal nonlinear modeling and identification. All PCG spectral patterns were reproducible throughout patient population. PCG spectral system identification and estimation methods can be integrated to characterize hemodynamic and turbulence blood flow patterns. Information of nonlinear flow can be retrieved within a very short time (orders of mesconds). ARMAX spectral method assist in rapid analysis of different valvular incompetence pathologies. Definition of heart sound S1 and S2 are actively identified as energy density system based on these two approaches. In addition to much abnormal heart patterns which can be identified sound S3 and S4 accordingly.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors are grateful to RWTH-Aachen University, Aachen University of Applied Sciences and German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for cooperation and financial support to complete this project and for providing us with all research and funding requirements to get this research in track of success.

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R. Bassam, A.K. Abbas, R.M. Kasim

Caillec, J.M. Le, Garello, R. Comparison of Statistical Indices Using Third Order Statistics for Non-linear Detection, Signal Processing, vol. 84, Pp.499-525, 2004. 10. Nikias, C.L. High-Order Spectra Analysis, A Nonlinear Signal Processing Framework, Prentice Hall Inc, Englewood, Cl. H., New Jersey, 1993. Author: Rasha Bassam Institute: Biomedical Engineering Dept.-Aachen University of Applied Sciences-Juelich Street: Kuehlwetterstr.-Zim 303 City: Aachen Country: Germany Email: rashabassamss84@gmail.com

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