Web Camera for Detecting Atrial Fibrillation
A web camera can be used to detect atrial fibrillation (AF). The video-based system was developed with Xerox Research Center in Webster, New York, and is the first diagnostic tool to measure the electrical activity of the heart without physical contact. A regular laptop camera is used in conjunction with special software which analyzes video footage of a person’s face and detects subtle shifts in skin color that indicate changes in blood flow. A study showed that this tool is as accurate as the electrocardiogram (ECG), that is generally used for diagnosing irregular heartbeat.
The drawback of ECG is that it’s used only in patients who have shown symptoms. There are approximately 30 million people worldwide with AF, and 30% of them don’t even know they have it. Common symptoms are heart palpitations and dizziness but many people who have the condition don’t experience these symptoms. If left un-diagnosed and untreated, AF can lead to stroke and heart failure. Researchers hope that soon the web camera tool can be used to diagnose patients who have no symptoms and also monitor their progress as they receive treatment.
Preliminary results from the pilot study are promising but the technology needs more research and refinement, experts say. More….
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