Heart sound analysis for symptom detection and computer-aided diagnosis

Heart auscultation (the interpretation by a physician of heart sounds) is a fundamental component of cardiac diagnosis. It is, however, a difficult skill to acquire. In this work, we develop a simple model for the production of heart sounds, and demonstrate its utility in identifying features useful in diagnosis. We then present a prototype system intended to aid in heart sound analysis. Based on a wavelet decomposition of the sounds and a neural network-based classifier, heart sounds are associated with likely underlying pathologies. Preliminary results promise a system that is both accurate and robust, while remaining simple enough to be implemented at low cost. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.