Wireless device to detect heart dysfunction in cancer survivors
New York, June 23 : Scientists have designed a novel wireless device which may accurately detect heart dysfunction in children who have survived cancer.
Childhood cancer survivors are advised to undergo screening for the detection of heart dysfunction because of known anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity.
However, screening with echocardiography -- the standard of care for monitoring heart function -- can be highly variable and limited.
Another alternative is cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, which is expensive and is not widely accessible.
In the study, the team tested Vivio -- a prototype handheld instrument which collects pulse waves and phonocardiogram data from the carotid artery. The results showed that the device was accurate and it displayed a low false-negative rate as compared to CMR imaging.
"This study is the first step in thinking about new paradigms of long-term monitoring and care delivery for cancer survivors who are at risk for severe and life-threatening health conditions," said Saro Armenian, Director at City of Hope National Medical Centre in California.
The study, published in the journal Clinical Cancer Research, involved data from 191 patients exposed to anthracycline chemotherapy.
The data of the participants was collected using Vivio which then streamed wirelessly to a compatible device such as a smart phone or e-tablet.
This mobile health platform negates the need for result interpretation and allows for real-time monitoring of heart health, explained Armenian.
Using a specialised algorithm, Vivio measures the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), which is commonly used to assess heart function and measures the percentage of blood ejected from the left ventricle of the heart, Armenian added.
However, the author said that Vivio is not currently intended to replace echocardiography or CMR imaging.
"One possible implementation of Vivio could be for preliminary screening," Armenian explained.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Remarks against St Francis Xavier: Right-wing speaker Gautam Khattar gets bail
Panaji (PTI): A court in Goa on Saturday granted bail to right-wing speaker Gautam Khattar, who was arrested after he allegedly made derogatory comments against St Francis Xavier.
Judicial Magistrate First Class, Vasco, granted regular bail to Khattar, currently admitted to Goa Medical College and Hospital at Bambolim for treatment of chest pain after he was shifted from the District Hospital in Mapusa two days back.
A row erupted after a video of remarks by Khattar, the founder of Sanatan Mahasangh, at an event on April 18 in the presence of Swami Brahmeshanand, State Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho and BJP MLAs Sankulp Amonkar and Daji (Krishna) Salkar, went viral.
St Francis Xavier is revered as the patron saint of Goa.
The controversial remarks led to the Vasco Police registering an FIR against Khattar on charges of hurting religious sentiments and creating enmity between groups.
He was detained in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, by local police. His custody was later handed over to the Goa Crime Branch, according to officials.
