Implant detects heart attack early

Implant for warning of heart attacks first used in Europe

02/11/2012

New implant warns of impending heart attack. For the first time in Europe at the University Heart Center (UZH) Freiburg „Patients implanted a device capable of detecting a heart attack before the first symptoms“, reports the University Hospital Freiburg in a recent press release.

According to the hospital's announcement, around 250,000 patients suffer a so-called acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) every year, many of whom already die before they even reach a hospital. Experts estimate that up to 95 percent of patients could survive their heart attack if they were admitted to a hospital or cardiac catheterization facility in a timely manner. „The problem is that many patients do not feel symptoms or ignore them for too long“, This is the message from the University Medical Center Freiburg. The implant, which is now being used for the first time in Europe, has the promising name „Guardian“ should warn affected persons at an early stage of an impending heart attack.

New implant detects lack of blood flow to the heart
Deputy Medical Director of the Department of Cardiology and Angiology I of UHZ, Professor Dr. Manfred Zehnder, explained: „Our goal is to shorten the time from the first onset of symptoms to the beginning of medical care in order to intervene in time - with Guardian we can achieve this goal.“ The tiny device will, according to the hospital „used as a pacemaker in the chest and is connected via a thin wire to the heart.“ In this way be „Guardian“ to be able to recognize a shortage of blood flow to the heart at an early stage. This is followed by a visual and audible warning of the patient. This is particularly important for patients who do not experience any of the typical symptoms such as heart pain, chest pain, pressure and tightness, or pricking in the chest. Due to the early warning, the constricted or closed coronary arteries in a cardiac catheterization laboratory can be reopened in time, so that there is no heart attack, reports the University Hospital Freiburg.

Implant for warning of heart attacks a success story
In cooperation with several clinics in the USA, the working group headed by Professor Zehnder played a key role in the development of the „Guardian“ participated. Accordingly, the Freiburg cardiologist showed „proud of the fact that after ten years of further development of a concept, which was born in Freiburg, we were able to successfully implant the device in Europe at the first two patients.“ In his view, that is „Guardian“-implant „a success story that will become very important in the future for the treatment of infarct patients.“ In the future, the device will primarily benefit patients who are at particular risk of vascular occlusion or who have shown no or only atypical symptoms at the first heart attack. Also, the use is intended for patients, „who would most likely not survive another heart attack due to pre-damage to the heart“, reports the University Hospital Freiburg.

New implant has already proven itself
Since the device is currently being tested, implantation is permitted so far „only under strictly controlled conditions specified by the US Food and Drug Administration“ according to the Communication of the University Hospital. „Guardian“ So far, it has only been possible to apply it to select patients who benefit most from it in a controlled scientific study. The ongoing study involves 80 treatment centers in the United States, where the implant has been used on nearly 500 patients. In more than 20 cases, the device has already proven itself and by a correspondingly early intervention, a heart attack could be prevented, according to the University of Freiburg. (Fp)

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Picture: Gerd Altmann