PR85324

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 31, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

- Digital monitoring platform provides community support, access to healthcare

providers to help patients implement recommended lifestyle changes

Physicians with the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute (TCAI) at St. David's

Medical Center ( https://tcainstitute.com ) are testing a new lifestyle

intervention program and digital health platform for patients with atrial

fibrillation (A Fib), the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia. The program,

which features an app that is linked to wearable devices, is designed to enable

early detection of A Fib, as well as improve management and clinical outcomes

for patients with A Fib.

"Digital monitoring allows us to better serve our patients by helping them

follow prescribed plans, such as diet and exercise, to improve quality of

life," Andrea Natale, M.D., F.H.R.S., F.A.C.C., F.E.S.C., cardiac electrophysiologist

and executive medical director of TCAI, said. "Physicians can also receive alerts

if patients experience abnormal heart rhythms, such as A Fib."

The digital monitoring program being studied allows physicians to identify

patients who are at risk of A Fib and develop intervention plans, including

recommended lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of recurrence, before and

after a cardiac ablation procedure. Cardiac ablation is used to destroy small

areas of heart tissue that are causing abnormal heart rhythms.

The RFMx digital monitoring platform being used in this study includes wearable

devices to continuously track health data from willing patients. The platform

integrates the data to create a Health Scorecard based on information obtained

from the wearable devices that is transmitted monthly via remote monitoring. It

is designed to educate and support patients in a variety of areas, including

diet, exercise, stress reduction, sleep, smoking cessation and alcohol reduction.

"Every participant is different, and the challenges they face are unique," Dr.

Natale said. "For example, patients who are overweight are placed in nutrition

and exercise programs, and their goal is to achieve at least a 10% decrease in

body mass index.  Digital health platforms can measure these changes."

Doctors use telemedicine, web-based analysis, email, mobile phones, apps, text

messages, wearable devices, and clinic or remote monitoring sensors (weight

scales, blood pressure cuffs, etc.) to track patients' progress. Medical experts can

intervene with health coaching for high-risk patients, if needed. The program also

provides patients with community support for encouragement and accountability.

TCAI is currently testing the digital monitoring program on approximately 40 patients.

A recent study revealed early intervention to maintain a normal heart rhythm is

associated with reduced mortality and reduced cardiovascular complications in

patients with A Fib. Results of the Early Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation for

Stroke Prevention Trial (EAST) were presented at the European Heart Meeting and

published in the New England Journal of Medicine on Aug. 29.

Media Contact:

Erin Ochoa

Elizabeth Christian Public Relations

EOchoa@EChristianPR.com

512.788.1616 cell

SOURCE  The Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David’s Medical Center