The Risk of No Diagnosis in Cryptogenic Stroke and Syncope
Cryptogenic stroke and syncope patients who leave the hospital without a diagnosis are at a significant risk for secondary strokes and syncopal events (fainting/falls). Only comprehensive, extended ambulatory ECG monitoring (>30 days) can either document an arrythmia or confidently allow the clinician to rule out an arrhythmogenic cause. In both cases, enabling the patient to be on optimal therapies.
Additional Use Cases
- Palpitations
- Heart Failure
- Rehab
- Ablation
- Transplant
Arrhythmia Detection is Vital
Detection leads to differential diagnosis, optimal treatment and protection against recurrent stroke or syncopal events.
Detect
Treat
Protect
What is Cryptogenic Stroke?
An ischemic stroke where the underlying cause cannot be determined despite extensive testing is called a cryptogenic (or unexplained) stroke.
Cryptogenic stroke is devastating for patients and their families
2021 AHA/ASA Guidelines for Secondary Stroke Prevention
Atrial fibrillation (AF) detection leads to treatment with oral anticoagulants and a signficant decrease in recurrent strokes
Secondary Stroke Risk
cryptogenic stroke patients have a recurrent stroke within 5 years2
What is Syncope?
Syncope (pronounced SIN-ko-pee) is a sudden, brief loss of consciousness, also called fainting, which occurs when there is a sudden decrease in blood flow to the brain.
Unexplained Syncope is dangerous for patients
2017 ACC/AHA/HRS Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Patients With Syncope
Detecting bradycardia or heart block leads to treatment with a pacemaker and protection against recurrent syncopal events
Faint/Fall Risk
syncope patients leave the hospital without a diagnosis7
Guidelines Recommend ECG Monitoring
Cryptogenic Stroke and Unexplained Syncope
Medical guidelines already support ECG monitoring to detect arrhythmias in cryptogenic stroke and syncope patients to best inform ongoing treatment decisions.
But, the current standard of care options for ambulatory ECG monitoring devices don’t provide adequate options for patients.
Current ECG Monitors Limit Successful Protection
Short-Term
Holter Patch and MCT Monitors
Don't monitor long enough
- 15-30 days
- Adhesive causes skin irritation/breakdown
- Limits duration of use and likelihood of event detection
- Cannot rule out the presence of transient arrhythimas
Long-Term
Implantable Loop Recorders
Monitoring so long has real costs
- 4-6 year physician/resource commitment
- Invasive implant limits patient acceptance
- Costly device/procedure and extensive patient co-pays
Monitoring for up to 180 Days is Critical
Median time to the next actionable event for cryptogenic stroke and syncope patients
The HeartWatch™ covers patients from Day 0 through Diagnosis with an ECG monitor that can comfortably be worn for months at a time.
Revolutionizing ECG Monitoring
The HeartWatch
Pioneering the first medical-grade ambulatory ECG monitor specifically designed for extended wear, to provide a definitive diagnosis and enable patient-specific treatments.
Comfort. Accuracy. Access.
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- Tsao CW, Aday AW, Almarzooq ZI, et al. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2022 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association. Circulation. February 22, 2022;145(8):e153–e639.
- Mohan KM, Wolfe CD, Rudd AG, Heuschmann PU, Kolominsky-Rabas PL, Grieve AP. Risk and cumulative risk of stroke recurrence: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Stroke. May 2011;42(5):1489-1494.
- Kleindorfer DO, Towfighi A, Chaturvedi S, et al. 2021 Guideline for the Prevention of Stroke in Patients With Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack: A Guideline From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. July 2021;52(7):e364-e467.
- Wolf PA, Abbott RD, Kannel. Atrial fibrillation as an independent risk factor for stroke: the Framingham Study. Stroke. August 1991;22(8):983-988.
- Lin HJ, Wolf PA, Kelly-Hayes M, et al. Stroke severity in atrial fibrillation. The Framingham Study. Stroke. October 1996;27(10):1760-1764.
- Segal JB, McNamara RL, Miller MR, et al. Prevention of thromboembolism in atrial fibrillation. A meta-analysis of trials of anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs. J Gen Intern Med. 2000;15:56-67.
- Esther M. Mizrachi; Kranthi K. Sitammagari. Cardiac Syncope. National Library for Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526027/
- Soteriades ES, Evans JC, Larson MG, et al. Incidence and prognosis of syncope. N Engl J Med. September 19, 2002;347(12):878-885.
- Numé AK, Kragholm K, Carlson N, et al. Syncope and Its Impact on Occupational Accidents and Employment. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. April 2017;10(4).