ECG Signal Classification using Continuous Wavelet Transform Scalogram and Convolutional Neural Network

Abstract

Automated classification of electrocardiogram (ECG) signals is pivotal for timely and accurate diagnosis of cardiac abnormalities. In this work weintroduces a new method for classifying electrocardiogram (ECG) signals by merging signal processing and deep learning techniques. We utilize Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT) to convert one-dimensional ECG signals into scalogram images, capturing both temporal and frequency details. By employing transfer learning, we fine-tune a pre-trained AlexNet Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to categorize ECG signals into three types: arrhythmia, congestive heart failure, and normal sinus rhythm. We extensively compare our method with existing approaches, demonstrating its superior performance with an accuracy of 96%. The hierarchical structure of AlexNet enables the extraction of intricate features from ECG signals, surpassing other models that suffer from shallow architectures and reliance on manual feature engineering. Our approach not only improves automated ECG analysis but also holds promise for enhancing clinical diagnosis and management of cardiovascular conditions. © 2024 IEEE.