30 Oct Researchers test high-tech wristband with potential to detect heart attack in minutes
Researchers at the BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine in the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health are contributing to a national, multicenter trial evaluating a wearable device that may reduce the time it takes to detect a heart attack to just minutes — not hours — by measuring acute biomarkers of heart damage through the skin.
This new, non-invasive technology could be employed at point of care locations like urgent care clinics and pharmacies, and on ambulances. Its use could help facilitate rapid assessment for patients experiencing chest pain and other symptoms of a heart attack, allowing healthcare professionals to swiftly initiate life-saving treatments.
Developed by RCE Technologies, the Infrasensor wristband detects various acute blood biomarkers in mere minutes. One important biomarker is cardiac troponin, a specific protein that enters the bloodstream when the heart muscle becomes damaged, such as during a heart attack. Current methods for assessing whether someone is having a heart attack take place health care settings and include taking blood samples, which are then sent to a laboratory for analysis.
“Drawing blood, sending it to the lab, and analyzing it is a multi-step process that takes time,” says Brian Patterson, MD, MPH, an associate professor of emergency medicine and lead researcher on the study at UW-Madison. “For individuals who may be having a heart attack, every moment counts.”
Delaying medical intervention while waiting for test results can lead to further heart muscle damage and poor health outcomes. The American Heart Association reports more than 800,000 heart attacks occur in the U.S. each year and recognizes the importance of early intervention. Read more…