Abbott and GE Healthcare announce agreement to improve treatment of people with atrial fibrillation
BOSTON, May 13, 2015 – Abbott and GE Healthcare today announced an agreement that will bring real-time, patient-specific data about the heart's electrical activity to cardiac electrophysiology labs around the world to speed up the diagnosis of the sources of atrial fibrillation and other heart rhythm disorders.
The integration of electrogram signal data from GE's CardioLab* electrophysiology recording system into Abbott's RhythmView mapping software will allow doctors, for the first time, to use instantaneous electrical data of a person's heart to identify the sources of atrial fibrillation. By providing patient-specific diagnostics based on each person's unique physiology, this integrated system transforms current treatment approaches, which primarily rely on a one-size-fits-all anatomical approach.
"At Abbott, we are excited about collaborating with GE to help doctors more quickly diagnose the source of heart rhythm disorders with innovative technologies that combine the expertise and heritage of each company in improving patient care," said Mike Pederson, divisional vice president, electrophysiology, Abbott.
Abbott's mapping software, or rotor identification system, helps physicians identify and target the specific areas of a person's heart that are perpetuating atrial fibrillation, the most common heart rhythm disorder. Abbott entered the catheter-based electrophysiology market last year through the acquisition of Topera, Inc.
GE Healthcare’s CardioLab helps simplify the electrophysiology practice and streamline the workflow in diagnosis and treatment of complex cardiac cases. "Determining the source of heart arrhythmia disorders requires assistance from intuitive, accurate, and reliable equipment," said David Tolan, global product manager, electrophysiology, GE Healthcare. "By leveraging the existing capabilities of GE’s CardioLab to extract and send saved data to the RhythmView System, doctors have a comprehensive tool to help give them the confidence to quickly diagnose the source of heart rhythm disorders, help improve outcomes and increase patient satisfaction."
About Heart Rhythm Disorders
The human heart has its own electrical system, responsible for ensuring the heart beats regularly and pumps blood efficiently. In some people, the heart's electrical system exhibits abnormal impulses that result in heart rhythm disorders. These abnormal impulses are believed to be often sustained by rotors, which are complex spiral electrical waves in the heart. Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder, affecting more than 30 million people worldwide, with five million new cases reported annually.[1] Globally, high blood pressure and obesity are the top risk factors for atrial fibrillation, which has a significant impact on healthcare costs.1
About Abbott
Abbott is a global healthcare company devoted to improving life through the development of products and technologies that span the breadth of healthcare. With a portfolio of leading, science-based offerings in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic pharmaceuticals, Abbott serves people in more than 150 countries and employs approximately 73,000 people.
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[1] Chugh S, Havmoeller R, Narayanan K, et al. Worldwide Epidemiology of Atrial Fibrillation: A Global Burden of Disease 2010 Study. Circulation 2014;129:837-847.
*Trademark of General Electric Company