An innovative heart monitor developed by a Maltese company will start being tested out at Mater Dei Hospital, where some 10 patients undergo ECG monitoring every day.

The device, which consists of a small monitor that is placed on top of a tattoo-like sensor, would replace cumbersome electrodes and wires that patients have to wear for between 24 hours and seven days.

The tiny device, created by Umana Medical Technologies, a Maltese enterprise, wirelessly captures and analyses in real-time the cardiac electrical activity (ECG) of people in a non-invasive manner.

“Most often, monitored patients take the day off because the equipment currently in use is quite bulky. This means they do not carry out regular activities that they would on any particular day, defeating the purpose of the monitoring,” Samuel Meilak, who will be conducting the clinical trial told the Times of Malta.

“Since the new device is much smaller and lighter, it is easier for patients to carry on with their daily activities, such as going to work,” Dr Meilak explained.

The new device, which measures around five centimetres in diameter and weighs 24 grams, is also waterproof, allowing patients to shower comfortably.

Patients who agree to help out with this clinical trial will be fitted with both the current Holter device, and the new Umana T1 Heart Monitor, so specialists can determine its efficacy.

The difference between the current and the new monitor.

Malta, which has a high rate of cardiovascular conditions, is ideal for this study and Dr Meilak, cardiology resident specialist, hopes that around 2,000 patients would try it out.

Ambulatory ECG monitoring is carried out on cardiovascular patients and those who suffer palpitations and dizziness.

Among others, cardiac arrhythmias are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and their early detection is very important in ensuring optimal medical care.

Touted as “revolutionary”, the heart monitor was well received at the annual European Society of Cardiology Congress that hosted 32,000 cardiologists, including members of the Maltese Cardiac Society.

There, Robert Xuereb, president of the society, was judge of the Young Investigator Award Session. Together with MaryAnne Caruana and Mark Sammut, Dr Xuereb also chaired clinical sessions.

Meanwhile, Alex Borg gave a lecture on the European Examination of General Cardiology while Sara Xuereb presented an abstract on research performed by the Department of Cardiology on Coronary Artery Disease and Diabetes Mellitus in pre-meno-pausal women.