Visualizing Cardiac Motion Using Subcutaneously Measured Electrocardiography and Three-Axis Acceleration: Day-to-Day...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Medical Device Technology

Background:

• Continuous monitoring of cardiac motion provides critical data for managing heart failure (HF).
• Existing subcutaneous implants primarily monitor ECG and impedance, leaving the potential of 3D acceleration data unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore a novel method for visualizing heart motion trajectories using integrated ECG and three-axis accelerometer data from a subcutaneous sensor.
• To assess the potential of these trajectories for quantitative assessment of cardiac function and early detection of heart failure decompensation.

Main Methods:

• Integration of electrocardiogram (ECG) data with data from a novel subcutaneous three-axis accelerometer.
• Visualization of heart motion trajectories and calculation of the area covered by these trajectories during systole.
• Comparison of trajectory patterns and areas in stable individuals versus patients experiencing congestive heart failure (CHF) events.

Main Results:

• Consistent daily heart motion trajectory patterns were observed in a stable individual.
• A significant reduction in the systolic trajectory area was observed in four patients prior to congestive heart failure (CHF) events compared to their baseline.
• The study demonstrated a reduced cardiac motion range in HF patients experiencing congestion and related events.

Conclusions:

• The integrated approach using a novel subcutaneous sensor shows promise for enhancing remote monitoring of heart failure patients.
• This method may enable early detection of decompensation and support personalized treatment strategies.
• The visualization of cardiac displacement trajectories offers a more intuitive display of physiological data for HF management.