BioMonitor 2 (Biotronik) is now available for patients in the UK and Ireland. The insertable device is designed to allow highly accurate and reliable continuous detection of cardiac electrical events.
The monitor is indicated for patients suffering from unexplained syncope, and to detect atrial fibrillation.
In response, BioMonitor 2 can be inserted under the skin of the patient. It then records all cardiac electrical events. Data from the device is transmitted directly to the physician via Biotronik Home Monitoring, where they are given an accurate, digital map of the heart’s activity.
“Atrial fibrillation is often so sporadic and unpredictable that it is sometimes impossible to diagnose at the time the patient has symptoms,” comments Riyaz Kaba from Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals, Surrey, and St George’s Hospital, London, both UK. “It is similar with syncope. The patient can hardly choose to faint when they are hooked up to an electrocardiagram just so we can find out what’s causing it. But, because BioMonitor 2 is always on and always recording, we can see exactly what’s going on with their cardiac rhythm in these precise moments. It is really unprecedented and the accuracy of the readings has exceeded our expectations. We get a clear picture very early on, meaning necessary treatment can begin earlier.”
As well as its diagnostic benefits, the device has been designed with the patient anatomy in mind. “The insertion procedure is easy for both doctor and patient. It only takes a few minutes,” explains Kaba. “The monitor adapts to the patient’s anatomy, and they are satisfied with the overall cosmetic result.”
BioMonitor 2 also has Biotronik ProMRI technology and is approved for full-body magnetic resonance imaging scans at both the usual 1.5 and 3.0 tesla strength. Its average battery life is four years.
