Feature selection for ECG signal processing using improved genetic algorithm and empirical mode decomposition

This paper proposes a novel scheme of feature selection, which employs a modified genetic algorithm that uses a variable-range searching strategy and empirical mode decomposition (EMD). Combined with support vector machines (SVMs), a new pattern recognition method for electrocardiograph (ECG) is developed. First, the ECG signal is decomposed into intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) that represent signal characteristics with sample oscillatory modes. Then, the modified genetic algorithm with variable-range encoding and dynamic searching strategy is used to optimize statistical feature subsets. Next, a statistical model based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis is developed to select the dominant features. Finally, the SVM-based pattern recognition model is used to classify different ECG patterns. Comparative studies with peer-reviewed results and two other well-known feature selection methods demonstrate that the proposed method can select dominant features in processing ECG signal, and achieve better classification performance with lower feature dimensionality.