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Heart test can detect risk of sudden cardiac death
By Kim Nguyen, Staff Writer
An Allen cardiologist is offering state-of-the-art technologies to patients to determine their risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death in the United States, killing more than 325,000 people each year.
SCA can strike persons of any age, gender, race and even those who seem in good health. People who have a family history of heart disease, heart attack or cardiac death or have high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity or high cholesterol are at higher risk of having SCA, according to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association.
“When people suddenly die, there are certain changes in their EKG,” said Dr. Amer Suleman, attending electrophysiologist at The Heartbeat Clinic in Allen. “The Microvolt test picks up the electrical instabilities to help determine a patient’s risk of sudden cardiac death.”
An electrophysiologist is a cardiologist who specializes in the electrical system of the human heart. Suleman compared the heart to an average household, which would sometimes require the services of a plumber and an electrician. A plumber can tell the homeowner if there is a blockage in the system; an electrician can tell if there are any electrical irregularities in the system.
Suleman said after taking the MTWA Test and determining their risk of sudden cardiac death, he will work with the patient to go on a treatment regimen with medications to stabilize the heart’s electrical rhythm.
“In terms of the heart, the real value is in negativity,” Suleman said. “Current literatures of extensive clinical studies show that a normal or negative MTWA test indicates a very low risk of sudden cardiac arrest.”
Various clinical studies have shown a 98 percent accuracy rate of the MTWA testing for follow-up periods of 12-18 months.
Cristina de la Isla, regional clinical manager for Cambridge Heart, said the Microvolt T-Wave Alternans Test is very similar to a exercise and stress test, where 14 sensors are applied to the patient to measure their heart rate. The patient walks on a treadmill at a comfortable rate, which is gradually accelerated to increase the patient’s heart rate.
“The program is looking for minute changes in the amplitude or shape of the heart wave,” de la Isla said. “The program will then analyze the data collected to determine the correct route of treatment.”
De la Isla said the presence of T-wave alternans at a low heart rate indicates an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
T-wave variations are not typically visible to the naked eye when a routine ECG or stress test is performed. A more accurate test requires invasive surgery, which further hinders the health of most patients.
The Heartbeat Clinic is the only practice in the McKinney-Allen area to offer the Microvolt T-Wave Alternans (MTWA) Test and is located at 508 West Main Street in Allen.
Information on the Microvolt T-Wave Alternans (MTWA) Test can be found online at www.cambridgeheart.com
Contact Kim Nguyen at knguyen@acnpapers.com
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