Journal of Electroc

Book review

www.jecgonline.com

Bioelectric signal processing in cardiac and

neurologic applications

Leif Sfrnmo, Pablo Laguna, Elsevier; 2005, ISBN-13: 978-

0-12-437552-9.

This is a very large reference work of more than 600

pages. It is split into 8 chapters. The first covers a general

introduction. This is followed by 4 chapters dealing with

neurologic applications and 3 on cardiological applications.

Both clinical groupings have a chapter giving the clear

clinical background to each area, putting signal processing

into context. Both are labeled ba brief background,Q and

although undoubtedly true, together they extend to more

than 60 pages. They contain only one mathematical formula

and hence are ideally suited as an introduction. The book

ends with 2 appendices; the main one reviewing important

mathematical concepts used in the book.

Many of the signal-processing techniques within the

2 clinical disciplines are of relevance to each other. Mathema-

tical concepts are dealt with fully, but accessibly. Basic con-

cepts are described in such a way as to allow general readers

to dip into the subject and become informed on possible

approaches if not actually tackling how to use the signal-

processing techniques. The descriptions are complemented

with useful illustrations. Each chapter is well referenced with a

typical bibliography of 100 or more references.

The main chapters are split into specific clinical themes.

The 3 neurologic chapters deal with electroencephalographic

0022-0736/$ – see front matter D 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

doi:10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2007.02.008

(EEG) signal processing, evoked potentials, and the electro-

myogram. The cardiology chapters describe ECG signal

processing and heart rate variability. The signal-processing

techniques are always described with an application, a strong

and valuable feature. There are too many to list them all, but

some examples can be given. Fourier and other spectral

analysis are under electroencephalographic signal process-

ing, averaging and wavelet transforms under evoked poten-

tials, feature extraction under the electromyogram, filtering

and compression under ECG signal processing, and sampling

and interpolation under heart rate variability.

This book has been prepared for students studying

bioelectric signal processing as part of a Biomedical

Engineering or other undergraduate course. It is a highly

mathematical book, and the preface states that an under-

standing of the fundamentals of signal processing is a

prerequisite. Nevertheless, it is easy to find the description

of different techniques and obtain an overview before

embarking on a detailed study. Readers need to be aware

that a particular technique may be described under a

different application from the one they intend to pursue.

This is a thorough, practical, and readable book, and

provided account is taken of the mathematical content, I

recommend it strongly.

Alan Murray

Medical Physics, Freeman Hospital

Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

ardiology 40 (2007) 240