Hope for stroke survivors

STROKE survivors could be spared a secondary episode thanks to a matchstick-sized device implanted in the chest. An undiagnosed heart rhythm problem called atrial fibrillation (AF) – which affects around one million Britons – is believed to be responsible for about 30,000 of the 100,000 strokes a year in Britain. The Reveal LINQ device is an insertable cardiac monitor that records the rhythm of the heart 24 hours a day, transmitting the information via wi-fi to doctors. Several NHS trusts are now using it in stroke patients to establish whether an abnormal heartbeat has caused a stroke. More details at medtronic.com.