Sunnybrook first in Canada to implant cutting-edge heart monitors

Cardiologists at Sunnybrook's Schulich Heart Centre are the first in Canada to surgically implant a new type of heart monitor that will improve diagnosis of patients with potential heart problems. The implantable cardiac monitoring device records the heart's electrical activity in order to help physicians diagnose whether or not common symptoms like syncope (fainting), dizziness, palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath and unexplained seizure-like episodes are related to cardiac problems. Although similar monitors are available in Canada, this device has unique diagnostic benefits. It can more accurately sense cardiac signals, enabling physicians to program the monitor to sense small and wide-ranging signals. Additionally, the device has a life-span of up to three years compared with the 18 month life-span of similar devices. "Patients may only experience one or two episodes in the span a couple of years so the problem with implanting a monitor that only lasts up to 18 months is that you might miss the event altogether," says Eugene Crystal, head of Cardiac Arrhythmia Services. "The increased sensitivity of this monitor and the extended life-span will give us more accurate and more comprehensive data about our patients' hearts."