A Non-Invansive Super Stress Test
Device Predicts Who's At Risk For Cardiac Arrest
WASHINGTON, D.C., Posted 5:10 p.m. April 13, 1999 -- A new non-surgical test can predict who's at risk of sudden cardiac arrest in time to prevent their deaths.
The Food and Drug Administration approved the device made by Cambridge Heart. According to The Associated Press, it works by enhancing one of the world's oldest heart tests, the electrocardiogram.
Patients taking a simple EKG-monitored treadmill stress test get special electrodes placed on their chests, said AP. The Cambridge Heart Alternans system then can measure unusual, extremely subtle heartbeat patterns.
These patterns indicate patients are at risk of ventricular fibrillation, a lethal irregular heartbeat.
Patients who are most at risk could then get an implanted defibrillator. This device automatically jump-starts a heart sliding into an arrhythmia.
More information:
Compiled by Internet Broadcasting Systems Staff
|
