Cambridge Heart, Inc. (OTCBB: CAMH), a developer of non-invasive diagnostic tests for cardiac disease, today announced that new data presented at the Heart Rhythm Society's 32nd Annual Scientific Sessions in San Francisco confirm the diagnostic value of Microvolt T-wave Alternans (MTWA) testing in identifying patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The pooled analysis of 2,883 patients shows that MTWA is a statistically significant predictor of SCA in patients whose heart muscle is damaged (ejection fraction ≤ 35%), as well as those with more preserved cardiac function (ejection fraction > 35%).
"In this pooled analysis of patients without ICDs, MTWA testing is a powerful predictor of SCD in patients with a broad range of ejection fractions. In the future, prospective studies should be designed to specifically assess the value of ICD therapy in patients with a negative/positive MTWA test result," said Dr. Antonis Armoundas, senior author of the study.
"This new data further confirms the prognostic value of MTWA testing," noted Ali Haghighi-Mood, CEO of Cambridge Heart. Mr. Haghighi-Mood added, "These results have important implications for management strategies designed to prevent sudden cardiac arrest in 10-12 million patients with heart disease who are considered to be at risk for SCA."
SCA is the leading cause of death in the U.S. accounting for an estimated 300,000 deaths each year - more than stroke, lung cancer and breast cancer combined. Out-of-hospital survival is less than 8%, making prediction and prevention critically important. Microvolt T-Wave Alternans is a marker of SCA risk which is measured during a non-invasive treadmill test.
Other presentations at the Heart Rhythm Society meeting further demonstrate the link between alternans and life-threatening arrhythmias including:
SERCA2a as a Novel Mechanism and Therapeutic Target for Arrhythmogenic Cardiac Alternans in Heart Failure, Dr. Michael Cutler, Young Investigators Award Competition, May 5, 1:30-1:50 PM, Room 2016 Moscone West
New animal-model data provides insight into the molecular basis for cardiac alternans and its link to sudden cardiac arrest. In a heart failure model, the authors demonstrated that targeted genetic modification can suppress cardiac alternans and reduce life-threatening arrhythmias.
Intracardiac T-wave Alternans Predicts Imminent Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias in ICD Patients, Dr. Charles Swerdlow, Moderated Poster Session, May 6, 10:10-10:20 AM, Poster Town, Exhibit Hall
The authors conclude that T-wave alternans measured from an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) predicts imminent life-threatening arrhythmias. ICDs that monitor TWA continuously may warn patients and initiate pacing therapies to prevent sudden cardiac arrest.
Latent Repolarization Abnormalities in Survivors of Unexplained Sudden Cardiac Arrest Unmasked by Provocative Drug Testing, Dr. Danna A. Spears, Poster Session, May 6, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM, Poster Town, Exhibit Hall
The authors report that a large proportion of unexplained cardiac arrest survivors exhibit T-wave alternans, and suggest that this novel finding may potentially help to identify first-degree relatives who may also be at risk for SCA.
Study: 40% of newly diagnosed heart failure patients also have atrial fibrillation