AliveCor Mobile ECG Now in Canada

AliveCor Inc. has announced the availability of its mobile ECG technology for patients and clinicians in Canada. AliveCor is the forerunner in the field of FDA approved smartphone ECG technology. This device is a virtual portable ECG machine that can detect the presence of atrial fibrillation (AF) instantaneously, giving the users the benefit of early diagnosis and prompt treatment of this disease.

Although the device is no match for the 12 lead ECG machine and is likely to miss other abnormal rhythms, it has the benefit of detecting the single most prevalent cardiac problem-atrial fibrillation-even in a non-hospital environment. AF is said to affect every 1 in 4 Canadians and is the leading cause of stroke. The inventor Dr. Dave Albert tested the device sensitivity to be 100% for the detection of AF with 96% specificity. 

Timely detection of AF is expected to save millions in terms of saved costs of hospitalizing the patients as well as financial burden it exerts on the family of the patient. The mortality rate associated with AF is expected to lower following the introduction of this technology in Canada. With the help of this technology, AliveCor Inc. has been able to make a database of over 2.5 million ECG records that is proving to be a valuable asset in guiding researches.

The portability, connectivity and financial feasibility have made the device quite popular with the physicians. The technology has far reaching implications in the prevention of AF and Canadian physicians have welcomed it enthusiastically.