Jul 7 2010
Cambridge Heart, Inc. (OTCBB: CAMH), today announced the first patient enrollments in the MTWA-CAD study (Evaluation of Microvolt T-Wave Alternans Testing for the Detection of Active Ischemia in Patients with Known or Suspected Coronary Artery Disease).
“If proven, we believe it could set a new standard for cardiac stress testing.”
The study is designed to determine if Cambridge Heart's MTWA testing can enhance current diagnostic methods for detecting ischemia in patients with underlying coronary artery disease. Ischemia is defined as inadequate blood supply to the coronary arteries, which can lead to myocardial infarction or what is commonly referred to as a "heart attack."
"Today, we use MTWA to determine if a patient is at increased risk for potentially fatal arrhythmias, but the test may also have value in detecting underlying coronary artery disease," said, Dr. Edward Kosinski, a cardiologist at Cardiology Physicians in Bridgeport, CT and the Medical Director of Connecticut Clinical Research LLC, where the first patients have been enrolled. "This study will help us to determine if MTWA can detect blood flow problems as well as electrical problems in the heart."
The MTWA-CAD trial is a pilot study expected to enroll up to 200 patients. The Company estimates that the enrollments will be completed by mid-2011.
"This study is an important first step in determining if MTWA can help identify hidden ischemia in patients with suspected coronary artery disease," said Ali Haghighi-Mood, Cambridge Heart's Chief Executive Officer. "If proven, we believe it could set a new standard for cardiac stress testing."
An estimated 40 million cardiac stress tests in various modalities are performed annually in the United States. Cambridge Heart filed a patent application related to ischemia in December of 2009.
SOURCE Cambridge Heart, Inc.
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