Supported Formats

ECGDataKit parses 12 ECG file formats via content-based detection — no file extension guessing.

HL7 aECG

The HL7 annotated ECG standard (ANSI/HL7 V3 aECG) is an XML-based format widely used for regulatory ECG submissions to the FDA. Files contain waveform data, patient demographics, annotations, and measurements in a structured XML hierarchy.

Dependencies: None (uses built-in XML parsing).

Philips Sierra XML

The proprietary XML format produced by Philips/Sierra ECG management systems. Found on devices like the PageWriter TC series and IntelliSpace ECG. Contains lead data, patient info, and interpretation statements.

Dependencies: None.

GE MUSE XML

XML export format from GE Healthcare’s MUSE ECG management system. Contains base64-encoded waveform data, patient demographics, measurements, and interpretation text. Common in hospital GE environments.

Dependencies: None.

ISHNE Holter

A binary format defined by the International Society for Holter and Noninvasive Electrocardiology. Designed for long-duration Holter recordings. Contains a fixed-length header with patient info and signal metadata, followed by raw sample data.

Dependencies: Optional PyCRC for CRC-16 checksum validation.

pip install "ecgdatakit[holter]"

Mortara EL250

XML format produced by Mortara/Welch Allyn ELI 250 series ECG devices. Stores multi-channel waveform data with per-channel metadata in a straightforward XML structure.

Dependencies: None.

EDF / EDF+

The European Data Format is an open standard for multi-channel biosignal data exchange. EDF+ extends the original EDF with annotations and discontinuous recordings. Used across polysomnography, EEG, and ECG.

Dependencies: None (pure binary parsing).

SCP-ECG

The Standard Communications Protocol for computer-assisted Electrocardiography (EN 1064 / ISO 11073-91064). A compact binary format with section-based structure storing patient data, Huffman-compressed waveforms, measurements, and interpretation. Supports both reference-beat and full-disclosure storage.

Dependencies: None.

DICOM Waveform

DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) can store ECG waveforms in the Waveform Information Object Definition. Contains structured patient, study, and series data alongside encoded signal channels.

Dependencies: Requires pydicom for DICOM file reading.

pip install "ecgdatakit[dicom]"

WFDB (PhysioNet)

The format used by PhysioNet and the WFDB (WaveForm DataBase) toolset. Consists of a header file (.hea) describing the signal layout and one or more binary data files (.dat) containing raw samples. Commonly used in research datasets like MIT-BIH, PTB-XL, and MIMIC.

Dependencies: None. Requires both .hea and .dat files in the same directory.

MFER

The Medical waveform Format Encoding Rules (ISO 22077) is a lightweight binary format popular in Japan and Asia. Uses a tag-length-value (BER) encoding with compact representation. Supports multiple channels and various data types.

Dependencies: None.

Mindray BeneHeart R12

XML format exported by Mindray BeneHeart R12 and similar Mindray ECG devices. Contains patient data, waveforms, and interpretation in a device-specific XML schema.

Dependencies: None.

GE MAC 2000

XML format from GE Healthcare MAC 2000 resting ECG devices. Contains patient demographics, waveform data, and device-generated measurements and interpretation.

Dependencies: None.