The program of the cooperative study of the Veterans Administration

A computer program for the automatic analysis of the electrocardiogram is described with details about wave recognition, measurements, and the calculation of the posterior probabilities of each diagnosis. The advantages and disadvantages of this multivariate statistical procedure are discussed. Classification statements result from separate analysis of the QRS-T complex, P wave, and ST segment. Criteria for inclusion of the patients forming the data base are given, with tables of measurements, means and standard deviation, as well as investigation of agreement between calculated and observed probabilities. Estimated error rates are given in the form of misclassification matrices, computed from large numbers of tracings collected by a Veteran Administration Cooperative Study, where the correct diagnoses are taken from clinical, laboratory, and autopsy information.