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.
RSS man's defamation case against Rahul: Key witness unavailable, hearing adjourned to Dec 20
Thane (PTI): A court in Bhiwandi in Thane district on Saturday adjourned the hearing in the criminal defamation case filed against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker to December 20 due to non-availability of a crucial prosecution witness.
Advocate Narayan Iyer, counsel for Rahul Gandhi, confirmed the adjournment, stating that the witness, Ashok Saykar, currently Deputy Superintendent of Police in Barshi in Solapur, could not remain present due to personal reasons.
Saykar's evidence is now likely to be recorded on December 29.
His testimony is considered key because he, as police sub inspector in 2014, conducted the preliminary inquiry into the private defamation matter under Section 202 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
It was on the basis of Saykar's submitted report that the court subsequently issued process (summons) against Rahul Gandhi under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The criminal defamation case was filed by local RSS worker Rajesh Kunte following a speech given by Rahul Gandhi at an election rally near Bhiwandi on March 6, 2014.
The case stems from the Congress leader's alleged statement that "the RSS people killed (Mahatma) Gandhi."
The matter is being heard by Bhiwandi Joint Civil Judge, Junior Division, P M Kolse.
The hearing had previously been adjourned on November 15 after the complainant's counsel, Advocate Prabodh Jaywant, moved an application seeking permission to examine Saykar, who had submitted the probe report to the court.
The matter was originally scheduled for November 29 but was deferred to December 6 after Rahul Gandhi's legal team sought an adjournment citing their non-availability. The proceedings will now resume on December 20.
