一種新型無線監測器能夠在長時間內通過從上肢獲得的心電圖連續監測心臟電生理活動。這種監測器還能夠從機體其它部位獲得心電圖數據，而無需導線、貼附裝置、或者其它設備。該技術由美國BodyMedia公司研制成功，整合了該公司的SenseWear袖帶（一種在減肥和瘦身市場銷售的可佩帶身體監測器）。該公司指出這種監測器特別引人注目的地方是因為它挑戰了心臟電生理學的傳統認識：即心電圖只能使用兩個在空間上保持相當距離的電極來測量，而且最少要有兩個電極必須靠近心臟。

研究人員報道說：與holter動態心電圖監測相比較，該監測器在實驗室檢測與日常生活檢測時都表現良好。該項研究是在斯坦福大學醫學中心心臟電生理和心率失常科完成的。

“這個設備可以收集心臟節律、新陳代謝和機體整體信息，適合佩帶數月或者數年。這或許能夠有助于在臨床診斷、治療和處理領域開創一些令人興奮的新方法，”該研究的主管Amin Al-Ahmad醫生評論說。

Wireless Long-Term ECG Monitoring
 
A new wireless monitor can track the electrical activity of the heart continuously and for extended periods of time via an electrocardiogram (ECG) from the upper arm.

The monitor can also record ECG data from other locations on the human body without wires, adhesives, or other equipment. The technology was developed by BodyMedia, Inc. (Pittsburgh, PA, USA), which has integrated it into the company’s SenseWear armband, a wearable body monitor also sold to the weight-loss and fitness markets. The company points out that the monitor is especially noteworthy because it challenges conventional wisdom in electrocardiology that ECG can only be observed by using two electrodes spaced at considerable distance from each other, and that at least two electrodes must be closer to the heart than to each other.

The monitor performed well in both lab tests and free-living tests when compared to a holter monitor, reported researchers. The study was performed at Stanford University Medical Center Cardiac Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia Service (Palo Alto, CA, USA).

“These gathered heart rhythms, with the addition of the metabolic and contextual information this same device already collects, in a form that could deliver wearing compliance over months or even years, may open up several exciting new methods of clinical diagnosis, treatment, and management,”commented Dr. Amin Al-Ahmad, the study leader.