ECG technology enables rapid diagnosis of heart attacks
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA: AliveCor, the leader in FDA-cleared personal electrocardiogram (ECG) technology, has announced that a research version of its mobile technology can identify ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the most severe form of heart attack. The findings of the ST LEUIS International Multicenter Study, to be announced at the 2018 American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions in Chicago, determined that AliveCor’s smartphone technology can identify the condition with good correlation and high sensitivity compared to a standard 12-lead ECG.
The new research indicates that lives could be saved by allowing 12-lead equivalent ECGs to be taken in situations where traditional ECG technology may not be immediately available.
“Rapid diagnosis of STEMI is key to survival for these heart attack victims,” said principal investigator Joseph B. Muhlestein MD, a cardiovascular researcher at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute in Salt Lake City. “It’s vital to immediately identify the type of episode a person is having so they can be properly expedited through the emergency room process. Today, the lack of accessibility to a traditional 12-lead ECG is often a barrier.”
Unfortunately, many people who experience STEMI do not seek immediate medical care due to unfamiliarity or unawareness of symptoms, and of those who do seek care, only 27 percent transported by first responders receive an ECG before arriving at the hospital. Thus, most deaths caused by STEMI occur within two hours of onset.
“The ability for our technology to accurately identify the most serious type of heart attack has the potential to save thousands of lives worldwide,” said Vic Gundotra, CEO, AliveCor. “In countries where standard ECG technology isn’t available, or in residential environments where people are uncertain if they should call 911 — a faster, more accessible solution than today’s standard is now possible.”
In September, AliveCor announced its work on Project Triangle, a six-lead smartphone ECG for consumers which is likely to come to market in the coming year. These innovations are continuing to propel the company forward as it leads the industry into the future of heart health.
