Portable Cardiac Monitor Detects Atrial Fibrillation

A cardiac monitor the size of a beeper allows individuals to check for dangerous heart rhythms in any location by using their fingertips.

The Cardiophonics 1000 cardiac event recorder fits into a shirt pocket, removing the need for bulky equipment and the need for individuals to disrobe for testing. It allows individuals, providers, and screening centers to easily test for abnormal heart beats by utilizing finger tip electrodes to acquire the cardiac signal, and provide an electrocardiogram (ECG) tracing for immediate review. The ECG may also be printed on site or forwarded by phone or e-mail to any provider.

The driving force behind the development was the need to detect atrial fibrillation (AF) outside of screening centers, where ECG equipment is normally used to confirm AF. Once detected, the normal protocol for AF monitoring is based on teaching individuals how to find the pulse and check its regularity on a routine basis. However, in many individuals, due to arthritis, poor perfusion, or chronic disease, a pulse is difficult to find and many individuals simply cannot determine the regularity.

"Many times, providers and screening centers cannot provide an ECG test for arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation very easily outside of the office,” said Richard Trader, M.Sc., FCCM, developer of the Cardiophonics technology. "In fact, due to the complexity, the majority of facilities do not include ECG testing in their stroke screening programs, even though atrial fibrillation is a major risk factor, and the cause of 20% of our strokes and disability in the United States.”

The Cardiophonics 1000 is a product of Cardiophonics Telemedicine (Timonium, MD, USA).



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