Screening tool could prevent heart attacks

A new screening tool could help to prevent strokes and heart attacks by diagnosing atherosclerosis (the build-up of fatty material in arteries).

Unimedic claims its new Arteriograph product could save the NHS around £4.5 billion over five years.

The Arteriograph is a non-invasive catheterisation method of providing cardiovascular risk assessment. It uses a single cuff and only takes 2 minutes.

The device measures essential structural and functional parameters such as central blood pressure and aortic stiffness, enabling surgeons to identify asymptomatic but high-risk patients and evaluate the effects of therapy.

Cardiovascular diseases kill 200,000 people in the UK and cost the NHS nearly £15 billion every year.

Dr. Rajendra Sharma, Medical Director of the The Diagnostic Clinic, London, commented: “The research by Unimedic led very swiftly to The Diagnostic Clinic acquiring an Arteriograph. The expertise taught to us by Dr Tamas Hodosi has led to over 350 patients being screened since we started using the Arteriograph over two years ago.

“The use and availability of this technique of arterial screening has led to the early detection of arterial disease in around 15% of patients tested, many without symptoms. Many of these patients might not otherwise have had problems detected with non-invasive conventional screening until much later in the progression of their disease.

“Investigations such as the exercise treadmill or resting ECG may not detect issues until 70% or greater coronary artery occlusion is in place. My experience to date enforces my belief that this is an invaluable tool for any screening centre or general practice.”

 
Arteriograph