ActiveECG review, page 2: Cardiac Device Delivers

By: Stewart Cameron MD

Ever wanted to get a quick rhythm strip on a patient when there's no ECG machine around? Want to do it with your PDA? Welcome to the world of handheld cardiac monitoring.

 

It's astonishing enough that this little device actually works. I've eaten desserts bigger than this. ActiveECG for Palm OS Handhelds was approved for marketing by the US FDA in May 2001 and the Therapeutic Products Directorate of Canada in August. Active Corporation of Castine Maine is marketing the devices for $499 US from the ActiveECG website.

The actual device is slightly thicker than your standard PDA, but is undeniably pocket sized. It connects to Palm handhelds with a cable that fastens to the sync connector. It has a belt clip to fasten it to the patient's clothing. The three lead wires unwind from a track in the ActiveECG and snap on to standard monitoring electrodes. They are placed on the left leg and each arm to give lead II.

The Palm software is simple and easy to use. It opens a patient file with a name you enter from the keyboard, but there's a more convenient route too. There are some customizable buttons for quick one tap creation of a record...e.g. "New Patient". You can enter the details later, a nice touch. This interface has been designed to work with finger taps on nice big tabs and hot areas: no need for a stylus! This is useful when one is already fiddling with leads and cables. A connection status icon alerts you to any connection problems.

Your PDA display can give a remarkably decent reading of the rhythm in real time. The display can be customized to three different voltage amplitudes and scan rates to aid interpretation. No calibration is required and the signal is remarkably stabilized. A beep for each QRS complex can be emitted if desired.

It gets even more fun: the software can record several strips for later review. These recorded traces are transferred to your PC when you sync for later viewing or printing. You can even document your interpretation of the strip, and print them off for the patient chart.

The software includes three programs: the Palm OS application (only 88k), a "conduit" utility that works during syncs to transfer the strips to your PC, and the Windows viewer for examining the strips on your PC.

PC requirements are rudimentary: the system is claimed to work with any 486 processor or better and Windows 95 or later. The device supports the Palm OS products only, although a special cable is necessary for Visors and it must be obtained from another company. Pocket PC's need not apply.

After you have shown off to your colleagues and impressed a few patients, the gee whiz factor wears off. You start to wonder... can it really make diagnoses for you? I've used it on the ward, in our clinic and on housecalls, and it delivers.

 

It has confirmed a case of atrial fibrillation

 

And revealed a bigeminal rhythm.

 

It was not fooled by a pacemaker and even indicates when one is operational.

This device would be quite useful for home visits, or the nursing home patient with palpitations when a full 12 lead is not readily available. It could be employed to monitor a patient while in transport or awaiting EMS. The documentation claims it can even function through defibrillation, although none of my colleagues were willing to let me test this feature on them. In a few cases, a reassuring strip might obviate the need for a full 12 lead in a low risk patient. The instant feedback would be a welcome feature for those patients. It also does not require disrobing, since there are no chest leads.

This device is easy to use, portable and relatively cheap. It held up well during the few weeks I carted it around. It remains to be seen how well it endures over a longer term.

While the device is fun and useful, it is uncertain at this time if it can cost justify itself in a Family Physician's office.

Obviously, it will also not be much help for the more pressing situations where you are concerned about ischemia or infarction and need a full ECG. If this device succeeds, a full 12 lead model would be a welcome addition to the product line.

Stewart Cameron MD

Dalhousie Family Medicine Halifax, Nova Scotia

ActiveECG review page: 1 2 3 4

 
 
 
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