BP+ 94% Effective for AF Screening in Primary Care
A recent study confirms the high accuracy of the Uscom BP+ central blood pressure monitor for detection of the dangerous cardiac rhythm abnormality Atrial Fibrillation (AF) in a primary care setting. This result confirms that BP+ suprasystolic oscillometry is 94% effective for detection of AF in home care environments and may be used as a screening investigation.
Summary:
AF is a common cardiac dysrhythmia occurring in approximately 40m adults worldwide. However, AF is associated with significant mortality and morbidity from stroke and heart failure and is often undiagnossed. The presence of AF may warrant the use of prophylactic anticoagulation, which is also associated with additional complications, making the accurate and cost-effective detection of AF an important health screening procedure. This study compared Uscom BP+ suprasystolic oscillometric detection of AF with a 12 lead ECG interpreted by a senior cardiology consultant and found an accuracy of 90% for BP+ measures with overall effectiveness of 94%. Concurrent comparison of a handheld phone with a dual lead ECG attached for detection of AF demonstrated an accuracy of 73%. The Uscom BP+ examination can be performed in approximately 60 seconds by a technician while the 12 lead ECG takes in the order of 15-30 minutes and requires a consultant cardiologist for interpretation.
Report:
The BP+ suprasystolic monitor is a specialised technology for diagnosis and therapeutic guidance in hypertension and vascular health. The accurate detection of AF as part of the current BP examination using the BP+ suprasystolic oscillometer expands the utility and application of the technology, and simplifies the primary care assessment of cardiovascular risk. The BP+ technology is simple to operate and provides rapid and accurate results, from 58 measures of blood pressure and cardiovascular performance, compared to the 6 presented in current simple BP monitors.
Commentary:
Uscom Executive Chairman, Professor Rob Phillips said “Uscom is a leader in medical technology, and the BP+ Suprasystolic oscillometric monitor is another life-saving innovation from Uscom Limited. This new technology is a leap forward in the detection and management of hypertension and stroke prevention. Incremental steps shift practice and outcomes in medical care, and this is Uscom’s mission. It has taken a number of years for us to refine this technology, and our BP+ combined with the BP+ Reporter, is now being proven as a clinical advancement in these critical and common conditions. The BP+ and BP+ Reporter have CE, and recently, NMPA regulatory approval, and are now being prepared for high volume sales in China and Europe as we prepare for the US FDA.”