Saint Michael's Investigates Early Heart Attack Detection Device

April 4, 2012 - PRLog -- The implant was performed by Dr. Joachim Correia, a cardiac electrophysiologist at Saint Michael's and among the first physicians in the United States to implant the experimental device.

Dr. Shedadeh, principal site investigator at Saint Michael’s, said during heart attacks most of the damage to the heart muscle occurs in the first few hours.

“Therefore early intervention is important to save heart muscle,” said Dr. Shehadeh.  “We believe the AngelMed Guardian device could improve early recognition and reduce time to treatment in these high risk patients, and may potentially save lives.”

The AngelMed Guardian system is created by a New Jersey company, Angel Medical Systems of Shrewsbury. The AngelMed Guardian system is designed to track significant changes in the heart's electrical signal and then alert patients to seek medical attention before they may experience symptoms of a heart attack. The objective of the ALERTS Pivotal Study is to provide an assessment of the safety and effectiveness of the AngelMed Guardian System.

The AngelMed Guardian System is comprised of an internal implantable device about the
size of a standard pacemaker with a lead into the heart, an external telemetry device,
and a programmer that aids physicians in evaluating heart signals.

Juan Hernandez is one of the first patients in New Jersey enrolled in the ALERTS study to receive the AngelMed Guardian System.  Mr. Hernandez is a 63-year-old resident of Newark, with a history of diabetes who suffered his first heart attack earlier this year.  He was successfully implanted with the device last month at Saint Michael’s Medical Center.

According to the American Heart Association, one of every five deaths in the nation is attributed to coronary heart disease. Further, 50% of heart-attack fatalities occur within one hour of symptom onset and occur before the patient even reaches the hospital.

Saint Michael’s Medical Center is among the first medical facilities to participate
in the AngelMed Guardian system study. To participate in the ALERTS study, patients
must meet various inclusion criteria. For more information on the AngelMed
Guardian system or the ALERTS study protocol, contact Raymond Monel,
Research Coordinator, Saint Michael’s Medical Center at  973-877-2764 or  
rmonel@smmcnj.org

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