Medicalgorithmics S.A. will present the results of a large study evaluating online versus offline electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring methods to detect paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), examining the relationship between monitoring duration and diagnostic yield. The study showed diagnostic yield was significantly higher with the PocketECG online monitoring system than with fixed 24 and 48-hour holter and multi-day patch methods. Results will be presented at the 2018 Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) annual scientific sessions, May 9-12 in Boston.

Bardy Diagnostics Inc. (BardyDx) announced that the American Heart Journal has published the results of a head-to-head comparison of two patch-based arrhythmia monitoring systems. The study, "Comparison of two ambulatory patch ECG monitors: The benefit of the P-wave and signal clarity," concluded the BardyDx CAM single-channel patch ambulatory ECG monitor (AEM), designed specifically to enhance P-wave detection, identified significantly more arrhythmias and resulted in better, more informed clinical decision-making over the iRhythm Zio XT patch.

A new data analysis of the Northwestern Medicine Mobile Stroke Unit (MSU) found the specialized ambulance provided life-saving treatment 30 minutes faster than traditional transport in its first year of operation. The analysis found, on average, the MSU delivered the clot-busting drug tPA to ischemic stroke patients 52 minutes after 9-1-1 dispatch, compared to an average of 82 minutes for patients transported via ambulance.