Daewoong Pharmaceutical announced on Thursday that its wearable electrocardiogram solution, mobiCARE, successfully detected atrial tachycardia early during health screenings at the Gyeongnam branch of the Korea Health Promotion Institute.
The Gyeongnam branch reported that a woman in her late 60s had been experiencing chest tightness while walking uphill. Concerned by her persistent symptoms, she discussed them during her health check-up. As a result, additional cardiac tests were recommended, including an electrocardiogram, a mobiCARE test, and a coronary computed tomography (CT) scan.
The one-day arrhythmia screening using mobiCARE revealed signs of atrial tachycardia. Based on the initial assessment by a specialist, the consulting physician determined that immediate treatment was necessary and referred the patient to a cardiologist.
The patient subsequently sought treatment at a general hospital in Changwon, where a coronary angiogram showed mild stenosis. She is now managing her condition with medication as part of her daily routine.
Standard health screenings typically include a 12-lead electrocardiogram, which uses 10 electrodes attached to the chest and limbs to measure the heart’s electrical signals from 12 different angles. This test usually lasts about 10 seconds.
Due to its brevity, this test often fails to detect intermittent arrhythmias that may not occur during the examination.
For extended arrhythmia monitoring, 24-hour Holter tests are commonly used. However, these tests require expensive equipment and specialized interpretation, making them impractical for many health screening centers and smaller medical facilities.
In contrast, mobiCARE is a user-friendly, wearable electrocardiogram device with just two electrodes. Weighing a mere 19 grams, this ultra-light device can be worn comfortably during daily activities for one to nine days, effectively capturing intermittent arrhythmias that might otherwise go undetected.
Jo Byeong-ha, head of Daewoong Pharmaceutical’s Digital Healthcare Division, stated that they’re committed to promoting the widespread use of cutting-edge digital healthcare solutions in medical settings and health screening facilities. The goal is to contribute to a healthcare system that emphasizes early detection and prevention.