Home monitoring cardiac device launched in India

New Delhi, Feb 12 (UNI) Heart patients with implanted devices, who have to chase their doctors for regular reviews, can now rest easy and get their condition monitored from the comfort of their homes.

Even if the doctor is travelling or is away for a long period, the patient can be rest assured that the doctor is well aware of his condition.

And it's all possible thanks to the new patient-oriented technology-- the Home Monitoring System-- launched by Berlin-based Biotronik in India.

Costing about Rs 1.25 lakh, the tele-cardiology solution for pacemaker, Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) and heart failure (CRT) patients enables automatic transmission of the patient's vital data of cardiovascular progress, including status of implanted pacemaker's battery, to the physician from anywhere in the world.

Launching the system, which combines a pacemaker and a cell phone-like device working on the GPS enabled network, Dr T S Kler, Executive Director, Escorts Heart Institute, said the system could revolutionise the healthcare of people with heart diseases.

''This is a quantum leap in cardiac arrhythmia therapy, therefore this technology acts as a boon for pacemaker and ICD patients with a continuous, automatic monitoring of the patient's cardiac status,'' he added.

The device, which ensures a reply either by SMS, email or fax within six minutes, can be carried by the patient in a pocket or handbag.

The transmitter relays data from the patient's heart to the phone, which transmits it to the company's service center, where it is processed or tabulated and stored in a secure internet information center in a completely automatic process.

In case of any problem, an automatic message is sent to the patients care team at the hospital, said Dr Kler.

The device, which has a range of 3 to 4 metres, can be programmed by the physician to collect data in case of pre-selected serious clinical events and additionally; daily automatic transmission of all important data comes with the technology.

Over 100,000 patients are using the System worldwide, said Biotronik GmbH and Co CEO Dr Werner Braun at the launch.

''The Biotronik Home Monitoring pacemaker not only enhances the pacemaker efficacy, but leverages the paramount concern of life, that is the patient safety,'' he said.

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