By combining
mathematical modeling with probabilistic determination of
diagnoses based on an extensive empirical digital database,
Multifunction Cardiogram (MCG) analysis is able to detect
coronary disease with a sensitivity of 90% compared to coronary
angiography as the ‘gold standard’1, using a
method that is immediate, non-invasive, and does not expose
the patient to radiation or physical stress.
The MCG report consists of
3 classes of analysis for the detection of various
cardiovascular diseases (primary, secondary, and tertiary)
as well as a disease severity score, which represents the
overall patient risk of cardiovascular disease.
The system relies
on a proprietary signal analysis technique that detects
stress and strain properties of the heart, which are related
to coronary artery abnormalities2:
The technology works by sampling an ECG signal from
2 ventricular leads (II and V5) and then performing a series
of digital signal analysis operative functions. These operative
functions produce a sequence of indices, which quantify
abnormalities detected in the analysis of the ECG; clustering
of these indices represents potential diagnoses. The primary
analysis produces a result for the detection of ischemia,
which can be negative, borderline, localized, or global.
The secondary analysis produces a positive or negative result
for the detection of diagnoses such as myocardial scar,
ventricular hypertrophy, congenital heart disease, myocarditis,
rheumatic heart disease, ventricular tachycardia, atrial
fibrillation, cardiomyopathy, and pulmonary heart disease.
The tertiary analysis produces a positive or negative result
for the detection of diagnoses such as heart failure, decreased
ejection fraction, bradycardia, tachycardia, increased and
decreased myocardial compliance, myocardial remodeling,
and local or global asynchrony.
Clinical studies of the MCG technology show
a level of stability for the methodology. The fact that
results have proven comparable between seven centers on
three continents indicates that the performance of MCG is
independent of variable age, gender, racial origin, as well
as clinical practice.
Any trained clinical or non-clinical
staff in your office or facility will be able to execute
the test on your patient.
The above information
is excerpts from MCG Technical White Paper. CLICK
HERE to
read the White Paper in its entirety.
|
BENEFITS
OF MCG |
| In addition
to easing the burden of primary care physicians as well
as urgent care providers who may lack the cardiologic
expertise necessary to detect the subtle variations
in the ECG signal that can indicate potentially life-threatening
conditions, MCG provides the following benefits: |
Rapid and Accurate Analysis
a MCG test session and subsequent analysis can be completed
typically within 10 minutes, making it practical as
part of routine care or cardiovascular screening, as
well as in urgent care situations for patients with
acute cardiac symptoms. The high sensitivity and positive/negative
predictive values of MCG analysis also make it viable
as a tool to ‘rule out’ disease. |
Objective Diagnoses
The MCG diagnostic process is purely evidence based,
eliciting its diagnoses based upon previous results
that have been clinically verified. Utilizing an integrative
approach, the data is combined and then used for cardiac
modeling. MCG's scoring system allows for
the provision of quantitative and objective results. |
Non-Invasive and Stress
Free Testing
A MCG test session involves only a surface resting ECG,
and does not share the risks or contraindications of
other diagnostic procedures such as stress testing,
Cardiac MRI or nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging.
This makes MCG testing more practical and available
for a wider range of patients than many other procedures.
|
Cost-Effective
As a non-invasive in-office procedure, MCG is significantly
less expensive than many other diagnostic modalities.
Initial equipment investments are significantly lower
than CT or MRI angiography equipment, and per-test costs
are comparable to other resting ECG procedures.
MCG is reimbursed by Medicare,
Medicaid, as well as many third party insurers.
|
References:
1 The
Physiome project is located at http://www.physiome.org
2
Cardiovascular Device Update November 2007, ACH Media LLC
|
