At the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland a new device and accompanying app have been created to help identify asymptomatic atrial fibrillation, which may in turn point to therapy options to reduce the chances of an ischemic stroke. The Beat2Phone system includes a chest-worn ECG, position, and activity monitor, and an Android app that captures the readings and automatically passes them to the patient’s cardiologist.
The monitor records the heart rate and heart rate variability on a continuous basis, as well as the activity levels and whether the person is upright or laying down.
The technology has been undergoing testing at the Turku University Central Hospital for two years now, and included cardiac patients and professional athletes. An additional group of 30 people were given the Beat2Phone to take home to wear instead of a Holter monitor.
According to VTT Technical Research Centre, the system helped detect atrial fibrillation, arrhythmias, and cardiac conduction disorder. Some of the patients received follow-up appointments with cardiologists based on the findings obtained with the Beat2Phone.
The study is still ongoing and we’re looking forward to the full results to come out.
Here’s a promo video for the Beat2Phone which is expected to be made available to the general public within about six months:
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