DGAP-News: Geratherm Medical AG: apoplex: Positive results published

Geratherm Medical AG / Research Update

24.08.2010 12:44 

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Corporate News


Positive results of study on atrial fibrillation with an automatic
screening algorithm ASA (SRA) published in Cardiovascular Disease Magazin

Apoplex medical technologies, Pirmasens, Geratherm Medical, Geschwenda,
24.08.2010. In a study for detection of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in 
acute stroke patients,  clinicians from university hospital at Heidelberg
compared  in 136 patients SRA (technology from apoplex medical
technologies) with the conventional 24 hour long term ECG. While the 24
hour ECG examination revealed 23 % of the patients later found as having
paroxysmal atrial fibrillation during monitor surveillance, the SRA test
identified 72% with just a one hour examination in  the emergency room.

The study has been published  at   the  18 th of August  2010 , by the 
department of Neurology in cooperation with the departments of Cardiology
and Epidemiology  and Aging Reaseach at the  German Cancer Reseach Center 
(DKFZ) at the University of Heidelberg.

Abstract:

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent cause of stroke, but
detecting paroxysmal AF (pAF) poses a challenge. We investigated whether
continuous bedside ECG monitoring in a stroke unit detects pAF more
sensitively than 24-hour Holter ECG, and tested whether examining RR
interval dynamics on short-term ECG recordings using an automated screening
algorithm (ASA) for pAF detection is a useful tool to predict the risk of
pAF outside periods of manifest AF.

Methods: Patients >60 years with acute ischemic stroke or transient
ischemic attacks (TIA) were prospectively enrolled unless initial ECG
revealed AF or they had a history of paroxysmal or persistent AF. ASA was
performed on 1- to 2-hour ECG recordings in the emergency room and patients
were classified into 5 risk categories for pAF. All patients underwent
continuous bedside ECG monitoring for >48 h. Additionally, 24-hour Holter
ECG was performed. Results: 136 patients were enrolled (median age: 72
years, male: 58.8%). In 29 (21.3%), pAF was newly diagnosed by continuous
bedside ECG monitoring. pAF increased with age (p = 0.031). Median time to
first pAF detection on continuous bedside ECG monitoring was 36 h. In 16
patients, pAF was detected by continuous bedside ECG monitoring prior to
the performance of 24-hour Holter ECG. Thirteen of the remaining patients
were pAF positive on continuous bedside ECG monitoring, but 24-hour Holter
detected only 3 patients. Accordingly, the sensitivity of 24-hour Holter
was 0.23. Sensitivity of higher-risk categories of ASA compared to
continuous bedside ECG monitoring was 0.72, and specificity 0.63.

Conclusion: Continuous bedside ECG monitoring is more sensitive than
24-hour Holter ECG for pAF detection in acute stroke/TIA patients.
Screening patients for pAF outside AF episodes using ASA requires further
development.

Link:http://content.karger.com/produktedb/produkte.asp?doi=316885

                    Supplementary information about apoplex medical
                    technologies

                    apoplex medical technologies GmbH was founded in 2004
                    in Pirmasens, in the west of the Rhineland-Palatinate,
                    and, within the field of medical technology,
                    specializes in new and innovative technological
                    products for the prevention of strokes throughout the
                    world. The subsidiary of Geratherm Medical AG focuses
                    on easily applicable and efficient methods of patient
                    screening using medical-technical applications to
                    prevent strokes and vascular dementia. The SRA (Stroke
                    Risk Analysis) procedure is the first practicable
                    screening method for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. It
                    is available in versions for use in medical practices,
                    pharmacies and stroke units. apoplex medical
                    technologies is supported by an extensive academic and
                    clinical network, which professionally supplements its
                    own core competences in the fields of mathematics,
                    physics and medicine. Further information is available
                    at www.apoplexmedical.com.

Further information

apoplex medical technologies GmbH 

Albert Hirtz  

Delaware Avenue 1-3 

D-66953 Pirmasens 

Tel: +49/(0)6331/698998-0 

Fax: +49/(0)6331/698998-19 

http://www.apoplexmedical.com  

a.hirtz@apoplexmedical.com  


24.08.2010 12:44 Ad hoc announcement, Financial News and Press Release distributed by DGAP. Medienarchiv at <a href="http://www.dgap-medientreff.de">www.dgap-medientreff.de</a> and <a href="http://www.dgap.de">www.dgap.de</a>

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Language:     English
Company:      Geratherm Medical AG
              Fahrenheitstraße 1
              98716 Geschwenda
              Deutschland
Phone:        +49 (0)36205 98-0
Fax:          +49 (0)36205 98-1 15
E-mail:       info@geratherm.com
Internet:     www.geratherm.com
ISIN:         DE0005495626
WKN:          549562
Listed:       Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr
              in Hamburg, München, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart
 
End of News                                     DGAP News-Service
 
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