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.
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Starc-inspired Delhi Capitals beat RR via super over
New Delhi, Apr 16 (PTI): A Mitchell Starc-inspired Delhi Capitals defeated Rajasthan Royals via the super over in their Indian Premier League match here on Wednesday.
Needing 12 runs in the super over, DC got them in four balls.
Asked to bat first, Delhi Capitals scored 188 for five.
In reply, Yashasvi Jaiswal (51 off 27 balls) and Nitish Rana (51 off 28 balls) scored brisk half-centuries to lead RR's charge before a brilliant final over by Starc took the game to the super over with the visitors finishing at 188 for four in 20 overs.
RR needed nine in the last over and Starc conceded only eight to stretch the game.
Earlier, the home team well served by Abhishek Porel's 37-ball 49 at the top of the order and even though KL Rahul consumed 32 balls for his 38, skipper Axar Patel (34 off 14 balls) and Tristan Stubbs (34 not out off 18) switched to top gear to help DC go past the 185-run mark.
Brief scores:
Delhi Capitals: 188/5 in 20 overs (Abhishek Porel 49, Tristan Stubbs 34 not out, Axar Patel 34, KL Rahul 38; Jofra Archer 2/32)..
Rajasthan Royals: 188/4 in 20 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 51, Nitish Rana 51).
