CinC Challenge 2013: Comparing three algorithms to extract fetal ECG

Abstract

This paper reports a comparison between three fetal ECG (fECG) detectors developed during the CinC 2013 challenge for fECG detection. Algorithm A1 is based on Independent Component Analysis, A2 is based on fECG detection of RS Slope and A3 is based on Expectation-Weighted Estimation of Fiducial Points. The proposed methodology was validated using the annotated database available for the challenge. Each detector was characterized in terms of its performance by using measures of sensitivity, (Se), positive predictive value (P+) and delay time (td). Additionally, the database was contaminated with white noise for two SNR conditions. Decision fusion was tested considering the most common types of combination of detectors. Results show that the decision fusion of A1 and A2 improves fQRS detection, maintaining high Se and P+ even under low SNR conditions without a significant tdincrease.