Device can help speed up heart condition diagnosis

A SMARTPHONE device which can be used to detect serious heart conditions should be rolled out to A&E departments across the country, researchers said.

The technology, which can record a patient’s heartbeat at home, was found to be five times more effective at diagnosing heart rhythm problems in patients than standard tests.

A study part-funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) also found that the device was quicker at detecting the cause of palpitations and cuts the cost of diagnosis from £1,395 to £474.

The researchers, from Edinburgh University and NHS Lothian, said it could help save lives.

Dr Matthew Reed, from Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, said the study proved the device was an easy, cheap way to diagnose conditions which often took several visits to A&E.

“For those with serious underlying heart conditions it can act as a lifesaver,” Dr Reed said.

“We are now calling for this technology to be rolled out in emergency departments across the country.”

Palpitations are often not serious but some are caused by underlying heart rhythm disorders which can lead to a stroke.

Doctors use an electrocardiogram (ECG) to check heart rhythms and help diagnose patients, but by the time people reach A&E their symptoms have often subsided and their ECG is normal.

The new technology study involved 240 people who attended 15 A&E departments across the UK with palpitations or who felt lightheaded.

The AliveCor KardiaMobile device was given to 124 of those patients to take home. They were told to activate it if they had a palpitation and the ECG result would be sent to a doctor.

The other patients had standard tests and, if undiagnosed, told to return to A&E or visit a GP if they had more symptoms.

After 90 days, the smartphone device helped doctors diagnose 56 per cent of patients, in an average time of 9.5 days. Only 10 per cent of patients given standard care were diagnosed, in an average time of 43 days.