Transoma Medical, Inc. announced that the first US patient has received the company’s new Sleuth AT (Advanced Trending) Implantable Cardiac Monitoring System. The implant was performed on March 2 by Dr. Troy Rhodes, an electrophysiology fellow under the supervision of Dr. Mahmoud Houmsse at the Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus. The company received FDA 510(k) marketing clearance for its next-generation product on February 11, 2009. A US launch is under way to introduce Sleuth AT to physicians who manage patients with complex arrhythmias as well as patients who experience infrequent, unexplained symptoms such as fainting or palpitations. “The implant went very well and took only about 15 minutes,” reported Dr. Houmsse. “This new system also offers the option of a longer 8 cm antenna which showed very impressive, high-quality ECG signals even before the incision was closed.” Sleuth AT allows physicians to program the capture of high-quality ECG (electrocardiogram) strips at frequent intervals, providing a new level of insight into complex arrhythmias which are often asymptomatic and frequently changing. These captured ECG strips are automatically transferred to a 24/7 monitoring center, staffed by Certified Cardiac Technicians, who classify and notify physicians of the presence of a wide variety of cardiac arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia, bradycardia, supraventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation (AF). “Transoma’s enhanced Sleuth system is an exciting new development for physicians who manage difficult and changing complex arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation,” said Dr. John Hummel, also from the Ohio State University Medical Center. “Although some therapies appear to be curative, one needs to be certain that the benefits are lasting. With Sleuth AT, I can sample 20-second ECG strips as often as every 7.5 minutes and be alerted through the monitoring center of recurrence of these arrhythmias. The Sleuth AT will provide baseline cardiac information prior to a planned AF ablation procedure and will help me monitor for recurrence of AF after the procedure. Regardless of the outcome, the access to long-term monitoring will allow me to manage the patient’s need for medications, including anticoagulation therapy.” “We are very excited that the first implantations of our Sleuth AT System are underway,” said Nestor Jaramillo, Transoma Medical vice president of sales and marketing. “We are having great success with our first-generation Sleuth system and many physicians are using the device to aid their diagnosis of conditions behind recurring unexplained syncope and palpitations. With Sleuth AT, physicians can use the new capabilities in their management of an even wider spectrum of cardiac abnormalities.”