Implantable heart monitor automatically alerts via satellite
31 August 2005
Maywood Ill., USA. A new FDA-approved defibrillator can automatically
send a signal to a doctor via wireless satellite transmission if a patient’s
heart beats abnormally or if the device malfunctions. Irregular heartbeat
(arrhythmia) is a major cause of death following heart attacks and studies
have shown that mortality is lower in ICD-treated patients. Loyola
University Health System in Illinois has become the first hospital in the
USA to implant the device into a patient.
Implanted in the chest, the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)
is a small electronic device that shocks the heart back into a healthy
rhythm if it detects an abnormal heartbeat. When a patient’s status changes,
a built-in microchip of the ICD (Biotronik’s Lumos DR-T) sends a signal to a
satellite via a small transmitter that can be placed on a nightstand, worn
on a belt or kept in a purse. In addition, Biotronik’s home monitoring
system sends a beat-by-beat record (similar to an electrocardiogram) of any
heart rhythm abnormality, which the doctor can then view on a secure
website.
The notification signal is automatically generated, even if the patient
is unaware of any problems. The doctor can program the device to send an
alert for specific reasons, such as a significant increase in the number of
irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) episodes, as well as the preferred alert
method, i.e., via email, cell phone, fax or page.
“The patient doesn’t have to press any button or call the doctor to
activate the system,” said cardiac electrophysiologist Dr. Niraj Varma,
Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Loyola University
Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, and Director of the Cardiac
Electrophysiology Lab, Loyola University Health System, Maywood, Ill.
“The new ICD provides faster delivery of care to patients and also
reduces the number of times a patient has to go to the doctor’s office for
follow-up visits,” said Varma, who specializes in treatment of arrhythmias.
“With this surveillance system, physicians for the first time have a way
to monitor non-hospitalised heart patients 24-hours-a-day, seven days a
week,” he said. “It will enable us to identify problems early on as well as
help prevent problems.”
Dr Varma implanted the device into a Loyola patient on Friday, August 26,
2005.
For more information see the Loyola University Health System Web site
www.luhs.org
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