Innovative Technology Extrapolates Coronary Risks from ECG signals

A chemical and radiation-free procedure offers completely noninvasive cardiac testing using an integrated mathematical power estimate to assist physicians in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Multifunction CardioGram (MCG) works by sampling a signal from two left ventricular electrocardiogram (ECG) leads (V5 and II) and performing a series of digital signal analysis operations; the operations produce a sequence of indexes, which quantify abnormalities in the mathematically transformed electro-cardiac data. This information is transferred via the internet to a data center for interpretation, where it is compared to a database of over 40,000 patients. A numeric score is then assigned based on this analysis, representing the likelihood and severity of CAD. Multiple studies have shown that the MCG assists in accurate detection of significant CAD, with improved specificity and negative predictive values.

The MCG test session and subsequent analysis can typically be completed within 10 minutes, making it practical as part of routine care and screening, as well as in urgent care situations for patients with acute symptoms of cardiac distress. Additionally, since the MCG test session involves only a surface resting ECG, and does not share the risks or contraindications of other diagnostic procedures such as stress tests, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or nuclear perfusion imaging, it is a viable option for a wider range of patients than many other procedures. The Multifunction CardioGram was developed by Premier Heart (Port Washington, NY, USA).

"Using a computational systems analysis approach we, as physicians, now have a method that analyzes and compares raw electrocardiac data to help identify significant CAD,” said Joseph Shen, MD, founder of Premier Heart and the lead developer of the MCG. "This score is reported back to physicians within minutes to aid in detection and diagnosis in a point of care setting.”

"The evidence shows that this device can identify early onset coronary artery disease before clinical presentation, and this provides opportunity for aggressive preventative measures for a first myocardial infarction due to silent myocardial ischemia,” said Joseph Hickey, MD, of the Heritage Medical Center (Shelbyville, TN, USA). "The MCG analysis is the most accurate current means for detection of heart disease noninvasively.”

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