Angel Medical Systems to present observations of ischemic events detected using permanently implanted intracardiac ST-segment monitor in high risk CAD patients

Angel Medical Systems has announced that David Keenan will be presenting on behalf of Mitchell Krucoff, MD, FACC, Chairman, Division of Cardiology, Duke University, Durham, NC, on May 6^th, 2011 from 2:45-3:00 PM at the Heart Rhythm Society's 32nd Annual Scientific Sessions at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California. 

Changes in ST-segment deviation and heart rate (HR), monitored from a permanently implanted RV apical pacemaker lead and dedicated implantable monitor, provide a unique window of information on spontaneous and acute, silent and symptomatic ischemia in coronary disease patients. The first clinical use of these monitors began in Brazil in 2009. The monitors use two real-time alarms: a high priority “EMERGENCY” alarm to alert patients to a heart attack and a “SEE DOCTOR” alarm, triggered by less urgent conditions related to progressive arterial narrowing. Case studies across this spectrum will be presented.

“Historically we could only react, seeking ECG documentation of ischemia when triggered by patient symptoms. As we know symptoms frequently occur late or not at all, this means that the timing and benefits of therapy are impaired,” said Dr. Mitchell Krucoff.  “High fidelity, permanently implanted ischemia monitoring completely changes this paradigm. ST-segment changes provide objective documentation of ischemia within seconds of coronary flow insufficiency.”

The presentation will report the first human experiences of 33 patients with known CAD and high-risk TIMI ACS scores over a period of 26.8 patient-years.

Mitchell Krucoff, MD is the primary author of the presentation along with co-authors; Vanildo Guimarães, Neto, M.D., Audes Feitosa, M.D., Nara Portela, Dalyane Sobrinho and David Keenan.                        

The AngelMed Guardian System is comprised of an internal implantable device about the size of a standard pacemaker with a lead into the heart, an external telemetry device that helps to alert patients to medically relevant events, and a programmer that aids physicians in evaluating heart signals.

The AngelMed Guardian System is commercially available in Brazil and available for investigational use only in the US. AngelMed is actively seeking clinical sites nationwide to participate in the ALERTS Phase II Pivotal Trial. To participate in the ALERTS study, patients must meet various inclusion criteria.

For more information on the AngelMed Guardian System or the ALERTS study, go to http://www.angel-med.com.