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Cardiocomm Solutions' HeartCheckTM ECG Monitor Used for Atrial Fibrillation Screening in Collaboration With the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
CardioComm Solutions, Inc. (TSX VENTURE:EKG) ("CardioComm Solutions" or the "Company") has been requested by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada to support an Atrial Fibrillation ("AF") screening initiative using electrocardiogram ("ECG") readings instead of pulse count. The screening will be conducted during the annual heart symposium of the Foundation's Chinese Canadian Council. The event, entitled "All About a Woman's Heart", takes place in Toronto on Saturday, March 31, 2012.
"Heart disease and stroke is the #1 killer of women, and more Canadian women die from cardiovascular disease than all forms of cancer combined," says Mr. Tom McAllister, Chief Operating Officer, Ontario Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Prior AF screening programs have used pulse-detection in a person's wrist to determine if an irregular and rapid heart rate may be present as a surrogate marker for a person having AF. The CardioComm Solutions ECG screening solution will mark the first time a personal electrocardiogram ("ECG") monitor will be used for the detection of an irregular and rapid heart rate. This technology also allows visualization of the real ECG waveform, which is required for definitive identification of arrhythmias such as AF.
"The adoption of the HeartCheck(TM) ECG screening tool, rather than using simple pulse monitoring on an individual's wrist, is an important move by the HSFC in helping people determine whether they may be experiencing AF or any other arrhythmia. Wrist pulse measurement is difficult to do and individuals must be properly trained to understand the difference between a rapid heart rate and an irregular heart rate. The ECG makes no mistakes in this regard. A clear ECG signal will demonstrate not only heart rate but also the morphology of the ECG recording. With guidance from an ECG nurse or physician, on-the-spot determinations can be made as to whether individuals are experiencing arrhythmias such as AF," says Mr. Etienne Grima, CEO of CardioComm Solutions.
"Use of the HeartCheck(TM) ECG Monitor as the point of care device screening tool marks a new awareness towards the importance of such community-based ECG screening programs. CardioComm Solutions has confirmed that it will continue to support the HSFC in the adoption of ECG AF screening into other screening programs planned for 2012 across Canada, including the use of the Smart Monitoring service. The larger impact for ECG AF screening is that other organizations focusing on cardiac arrhythmias as a risk factor for stroke or sudden cardiac death can utilize the devices and technology in similar undertakings," adds Grima.
"Atrial fibrillation, the most common type of heart rhythm disorder, and its incidence increases with age and is associated with almost all kinds of heart diseases. Individuals with atrial fibrillation have a risk of stroke that is 3 to 5 times greater than those without atrial fibrillation," says Dr Chi-Ming Chow, staff cardiologist at St Michael's Hospital (Toronto) and Vice President of the Heart and Stroke Foundation's Chinese Canadian Council. "We welcome the partnership with CardioComm Solutions and the introduction of the HeartCheck(TM) ECG monitoring device. It's ease of use will be important in making community-based screening for arrhythmias more accessible."
Mr. Paul Haddad, manager of corporate alliances for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, added that CardioComm Solutions' donation of time and resources to this pilot project is greatly appreciated. CardioComm Solutions will continue to provide the HSFC support for adopting ECG AF screening in other screening programs planned for 2012 across Canada.
This initiative marks one of the early stage public awareness initiatives that CardioComm Solutions will be undertaking throughout the 2012 calendar year. It follows the FDA clearance of the Company's consumer based HeartCheck(TM) Pen heart rhythm monitor, which is to be introduced into the Canadian market within a few months.
About CardioComm Solutions
CardioComm Solution's patented and proprietary technology is used in products for recording, viewing, analyzing and storing electrocardiograms (ECGs) for diagnosis and management of cardiac patients. Products are sold worldwide through a combination of an external distribution network and a North American-based sales team. The company has earned the ISO 13485 certification, is HPB approved, HIPAA compliant, and has received FDA market clearance for its software devices. CardioComm Solutions, Inc. is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with offices in Victoria, B.C.
About The Heart and Stroke Foundation
The Heart and Stroke Foundation, a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke and reducing their impact through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living and advocacy. *www.heartandstroke.ca/chinese
Forward-looking statements
This release may contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of CardioComm Solutions and certain of the plans and objectives of CardioComm Solutions with respect to these items. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and there are many factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
SOURCE: CardioComm Solutions, Inc.