Question

What kinds of science and technology are currently being used to investigate and/or monitor and prevent heart disease? Provide an example and discuss at least one.

Answer 1

The technology used for investigation/ prevention of heart related disease are-

1. ECG (Electrocardiograms)

2. Ecocardiograms

3. Stress tests

4.Nuclear cardiac imaging

5. Angiography

Explanation- An ECG is the recording (gram) of the electrical activity(electro) generated by the cells of the heart(cardio) that reaches the body surface.

Useful in diagnosis

1. Cardiac Arrhythmias

2. Myocardial ischemia and infarction

3. Pericarditis

4. Chamber hypertrophy Electrolyte disturbances

5. Drug effects and toxicity

Basis of ECG graphs: –

1 mm squares – 5 mm squares

Paper Speed: – 25 mm/sec

standard Voltage Calibration: – 10 mm/mV standard.

ECG Leads

Leads are electrodes which measure the difference in electrical potential between either:

1. Two different points on the body (bipolar leads)

2. One point on the body and a virtual reference point with zero electrical potential.

2). today's techniques which are used for prevention of heart diseases-

1. Bioresorbable stents

2.  Leadless pacemaker

3.   Valve-in-valve procedure

Explanation-   Leadless pacemaker-

The leadless pacemaker is a tiny, self-contained unit that is placed on the inside wall of the heart through a thin, flexible tube called a catheter. The first version of a single-chamber pacemaker placed in the heart's right lower pumping chamber looks promising.

Contraindications for Leadless pacemaker

• Pacemaker, ICD, CRT, neurostimulator or any other implanted device which uses electrical current

• Unstable angina pectoris, recent myocardial infarction

• Mechanical tricuspid valve

• Implanted vena cava filter

• Left ventricular assist device

• Morbidly obese where telemetric programmer communication can be limited

• Limited or missing femoral venous access or stenosis

• Unable to tolerate emergency sternotomy

• Intolerance to titanium or nickel-titanium (nitinol) alloy

ADVANTAGES- Less invasive • Less implantation time (25 to 40mins vs 60 mins) • Less recovery time • Eliminates complications related to the transvenous leads eg. venous obstruction, insulation breaks, lead dislodgement, electrical malfunction, lead fractures, and infection. • No visible lump or scar • shoulder mobility is maintained(6 out of 10 patients experience reduced mobility in the shoulder) • No Pocket hematoma/infection ( Vs 0.5-1.5% incidence)