Prof. Ryszard Krzyminiewski

Adam Mickiewicz University

Institute of Physics

Medical Physics Division

Umultowska 85

61-614 Poznan

POLAND  

T.: +48618257289

Fax: +48618257051

rku@main.amu.edu.pl  

Adam Mickiewicz University is one of the largest academic centres in Poland with over 4500 faculty members and about  47.000 students. A smooth daily functioning of the University rests in the hands of about 1.700 administrative and technical staff members. The University is organized into 12 faculties. In turn, they are organized into institutes and departments. In addition, the university structure contains a number of inter-faculty and independent units.

The Faculty of Physics comprises the Institute of Acoustics, the Institute of Physics and the Astronomical Observatory. The Faculty of Physics employes 273 research workers and provides education to 1600 students.

The research program of  the Institute of Physics covers  various domains of contemporary physics, from the solid state theory, quantum optics, physics of crystals, radiospectroscopy, quantum electronics to molecular biophysics and medical physics. The research is organized into the 19 sub-departments.

Research work in Division of Medical Physics is being developed along two lines:
1. electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), its possibilities and applications (research of tissues and biologically active compounds, investigation of concentration of radicals and paramagnetic impurities in food products such as nutritive extracts, mushrooms, coffee, tea, herbs and in tobacco fume, dating and investigation of structure of geological materials),

2. analysis of bioelectrical signals  (high resolution electrocardiography in diagnostic of heart diseases, numerical analysis of electrophysiological signals)

Joint Programme of Activities – first 18 months

Title:  High signal resolution electrocardiography in myocardial ischaemia.

  Acronym: CAMUTROECG

High-resolution electrocardiogram is the new proposed method of  the standard ECG recordings analysis performed using a specially devised software which helps enhance the resolution of digital ECG signals. In order to facilitate interpretation of the high-signal resolution ECG recordings, a well known method of vectorcardiography was adapted.

In the solution proposed under the name CREM-ECG, the obtained display allows observation of electric activity of particular fragments of the cardiac muscle. It shows curves in three planes frontal, transversal and saggital the electric activity of the septum and left and right chambers. This kind of display permits detection of relatively small changes in the electric activity of particular fragments of the cardiac muscle caused by ischaemia, effected by drugs or infarct, which are undetectable in the standard ECG.

Diagnostic possibilities of  CREM-ECG.

The preliminary study testing the effectiveness of the method has been performed on over 2000 patients with all kinds of the cardiac muscle dysfunctions,  most of them already carefully diagnosed (exercise tests, echocardiography, holter, SPECT, coronarography). For instance CREM-ECG recordings of groups of patients with recent cardiac muscle infarct of different localisation, patients with coronary disease and those with history of infarcts, were analysed. For the patients from the two last groups the standard ECG often did not reveal any changes, but CREM-ECG display revealed clearly evident changes.

Another important opportunity offered by the new method is its use for monitoring of the effectiveness of therapy of myocardial ischaemia or the choice of the most effective therapy. Results of the preliminary study are much promising. For example, it has been shown that it is possible to monitor the changes in the activity of fragments of the cardiac muscle as well as additional ectopic beats the so-called extrasystols, during the treatment..

Results of the hitherto tests of the high-signal resolution electrocardiography (CREM-ECG) have allowed us to conclude that the method allows

·        fast, inexpensive and non-invasive detection of changes either testifying to the threat of cardiac muscle infarct or past infarct in people whose standard ECG do not reveal any changes

·        Detection of relatively small undesirable or beneficial changes in the cardiac muscle activity,

·        Fast, inexpensive and non-invasive detection of changes in the amplitudes of depolarisation related e.g. to the influence of drugs..

We are going to examine 120 patients after infarction using standard digital ECG records and CREM-ECG analysis. The transmission of the patient data to the computing centre and the transmission of the results of their processing to the medical staff will be realised via the standard modems and internet network.

NOE List of activities

Full duration of project

 Project acronym -CAMUTROECG

I 1 – Integrating activities

T 4 – Signal processing, classification, recognition and evaluation.

T 3 – Transmission and interfaces, security of data transmission (wireless and on the web).

S 2 – Knowledge Management and Data Base System.

S 1 – Communication physician CAMS for acquisition of the knowledge of experts.

Da 1 – Application of CAMS in diagnostics  of ischaemia – implementation in polish hospital

Da 2 – Conference on “Medical Physics and Telemedicine”

Mn 1 – Management of WP10 and participation in periodical Project Manager Board Meetings

CURRICULUM VITAE

CURRICULUM VITAE