Sam Brusco, Associate Editor05.18.23
Abbott has earned U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for its Assert-IQ insertable cardiac monitor (ICM), a new option for diagnostic evaluation and long-term monitoring of irregular heartbeats.
ICMs are small devices with sensors inserted just under the skin of the chest. They’re designed for constant, real-time monitoring of the heart to detect and identify arrhythmias that can lead to symptoms like fainting, irregular pulse, and shortness of breath.
Assert-IQ has two options with a battery life of at least three to six years for flexibility in diagnostic monitoring. The three-year option might be preferred for more traditional monitoring like diagnosing fainting, heart palpitations, or detections of abnormal heart rhythms. The option of at least six years of battery life, according to Abbott empowers physicians to monitor long-term.
Long-term monitoring can be important for people who are undergoing therapy, recently had a cardiac ablation procedure, or risk developing further arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation. Both options have advanced algorithms to detect irregular heartbeats and provide actionable data.
"The Assert-IQ ICM is a significant advancement amongst the tools that are currently available for the diagnoses of irregular heart rhythms. Given that the device is small and is inserted just under the skin, patients can go about their daily lives, enjoying the activities they love, and the ICM does the work," Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy, M.D., medical director of the Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute, told the press. "With Assert-IQ ICM's advanced algorithms, it can detect even hard-to-spot irregularities and help physicians determine a treatment course. It can be a very valuable tool both for short-term and long-term management of cardiac arrhythmia disorders."
The Assert-IQ ICM is designed to stay connected to a transmitter—usually the person’s own cell phone—using Bluetooth technology to check heart rhythms every 20 seconds. Results are transmitted in real-time to the clinic’s portal. Some Assert-IQ ICM models can be remotely programmed so the clinician can adjust the connected device’s settings, optimize performance, and limit unnecessary alerts or transmissions.
The ICM also has advanced diagnostic capabilities to offer more clinically relevant information about the patient’s cardiovascular health.
"As the incidence of abnormal heart rhythms like atrial fibrillation continue to rise, more doctors are turning to ICM technology to monitor their patients remotely to better detect the cause of symptoms that can impact overall health and quality of life," said Leonard Ganz, M.D., divisional vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer of Abbott's cardiac rhythm management business. "Until now, insertable cardiac monitors have allowed for remote monitoring of patients but lacked the longevity needed to monitor them long-term. Abbott's Assert-IQ ICM offers physicians a connected health device that will help them provide the best care for their patients while making more accurate and informed treatment decisions."
ICMs are small devices with sensors inserted just under the skin of the chest. They’re designed for constant, real-time monitoring of the heart to detect and identify arrhythmias that can lead to symptoms like fainting, irregular pulse, and shortness of breath.
Assert-IQ has two options with a battery life of at least three to six years for flexibility in diagnostic monitoring. The three-year option might be preferred for more traditional monitoring like diagnosing fainting, heart palpitations, or detections of abnormal heart rhythms. The option of at least six years of battery life, according to Abbott empowers physicians to monitor long-term.
Long-term monitoring can be important for people who are undergoing therapy, recently had a cardiac ablation procedure, or risk developing further arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation. Both options have advanced algorithms to detect irregular heartbeats and provide actionable data.
"The Assert-IQ ICM is a significant advancement amongst the tools that are currently available for the diagnoses of irregular heart rhythms. Given that the device is small and is inserted just under the skin, patients can go about their daily lives, enjoying the activities they love, and the ICM does the work," Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy, M.D., medical director of the Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute, told the press. "With Assert-IQ ICM's advanced algorithms, it can detect even hard-to-spot irregularities and help physicians determine a treatment course. It can be a very valuable tool both for short-term and long-term management of cardiac arrhythmia disorders."
The Assert-IQ ICM is designed to stay connected to a transmitter—usually the person’s own cell phone—using Bluetooth technology to check heart rhythms every 20 seconds. Results are transmitted in real-time to the clinic’s portal. Some Assert-IQ ICM models can be remotely programmed so the clinician can adjust the connected device’s settings, optimize performance, and limit unnecessary alerts or transmissions.
The ICM also has advanced diagnostic capabilities to offer more clinically relevant information about the patient’s cardiovascular health.
"As the incidence of abnormal heart rhythms like atrial fibrillation continue to rise, more doctors are turning to ICM technology to monitor their patients remotely to better detect the cause of symptoms that can impact overall health and quality of life," said Leonard Ganz, M.D., divisional vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer of Abbott's cardiac rhythm management business. "Until now, insertable cardiac monitors have allowed for remote monitoring of patients but lacked the longevity needed to monitor them long-term. Abbott's Assert-IQ ICM offers physicians a connected health device that will help them provide the best care for their patients while making more accurate and informed treatment decisions."