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Abstract

A method and apparatus determines the presence of a cardiac pulse in a patient by evaluating a physiological signal in the patient, preferably for the presence of characteristic heart sounds. The presence of a heart sound in a patient is determined by analyzing phonocardiogram (PCG) data obtained from the patient. Analyzing the PCG data may include evaluating temporal energy in the PCG data or evaluating spectral energy in the PCG data. Evaluating temporal energy in the PCG data may include estimating a first and second energy in the PCG data and comparing the first and second energy to determine a relative change in energy between them. Evaluating spectral energy in the PCG data may include calculating an energy spectrum of the PCG data and evaluating either the energy value or the frequency of a peak energy in the energy spectrum. The presence of a heart sound may also be determined by combining an evaluation of temporal energy with an evaluation of spectral energy in the PCG data. Electrocardiogram data obtained from the patient may further be used in connection with the PCG data to determine the presence of a cardiac pulse in the patient. An automated external defibrillator processing the physiological signal sensed in the patient automatically reports to an operator of the defibrillator whether a cardiac pulse is determined to be present.

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