The Medical Center of Central Georgia Joins Pivotal Study Focused On Improved Response and Treatment for Major Cardiac Events
The Medical Center of Central Georgia Joins Pivotal Study Focused On Improved Response and Treatment for Major Cardiac Events
MACON, Ga. (April 19, 2012) – The Medical Center of Central Georgia (MCCG) and Mark Dorogy, M.D., announce their participation in the ALERTS clinical study for the AngelMed Guardian, an implantable cardiac monitor and alert system. It is designed to reduce the time it takes patients to get to the emergency room during an impending heart attack.
The AngelMed Guardian System could track significant changes in the heart's electrical signal and then alert patients to seek medical attention. The objective of the ALERTS Pivotal Study is to provide an assessment of the safety and effectiveness of the AngelMed Guardian System.
“If the AngelMed Guardian System proves to be effective in early detection and warning of potentially life-threatening heart conditions, we may be able to shift the paradigm for early treatment at the onset of heart attacks,” Dr. Dorogy said. “We are excited to participate in this important clinical study.”
According to the American Heart Association, one of every five deaths in the United States is attributable to coronary heart disease. Further, 50 percent of heart attack fatalities occur within one hour of symptom onset and occur before the patient even reaches the hospital.
"Experimental and clinical studies have shown that most of the damage to the heart occurs very soon after coronary occlusion," AngelMed's Chief Executive Officer David Fischell said. "We've designed the device to warn patients of this and other cardiac events hours, perhaps days, before they occur.”
Roy M. Wood, Jr. suffered a heart attack and is now a participant in the ALERTS study.
“The AngelMed warning system has given me and my family tremendous piece of mind,” he said. “I hope my participation in this study will help others and possibly save lives.”
The AngelMed Guardian System is comprised of an internal implantable device about the size of a standard pacemaker with a lead into the heart, an external telemetry device, and a programmer that aids physicians in evaluating heart signals.
MCCG is one of 75 U.S. medical facilities to participate in the AngelMed Guardian System trial. To participate in the ALERTS study, patients must meet various inclusion criteria.