PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University veterinary cardiologist, Pamela Lee, is seeking healthy adult dog volunteers for a non-invasive cardiology study comparing traditional heart monitoring to a wireless smartphone interface monitor.
“Our study will compare the non-invasive monitoring efficacy of the traditional Holter monitor to the new AliveCor® Heart Monitor that pairs with Apple devices,” explained Lee. “As medical technology advances occur in human or animal medicine, it is always important that they be compared to existing technology to ensure safety and, in our case, accuracy.”
Eligible dogs need to make sure their owner has an Apple device such as an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. Applicants need to be friendly dogs, in good health, that do not have any current medical problems and are not receiving any medications.
Dogs of any breed can be accepted to help with the study. They will be provided with a full physical examination, have an electrocardiogram (ECG) done, and they will be provided with a Holter monitor to wear for 24 hours. There are no costs to the owners of the dogs enrolled in the study.
A Holter monitor is a small, wearable device that keeps track of the dog’s heart rate and rhythm. Small patches of fur will need to be clipped for the Holter monitor application.
Study participants will then be provided with an AliveCor® Heart Monitor and the device app to pair its signals to the dog owner’s Apple device.
“We will then be able to determine if the two devices work as designed and without problems when they are compared head to head on the same patient,” said Lee.
For more information or to enroll in the study contact Dr. Pamela Lee, Assistant Professor of Cardiology, 509-335-0776, pamelamlee@vetmed.wsu.edu.
Contact:
Charlie Powell, Public Information Officer, call or text 509-595-2017, cpowell@vetmed.wsu.edu