Smartphone-compatible implantable cardiac monitor receives FDA clearance

Abbott announced that its smartphone-compatible implantable cardiac monitor designed to remotely identify cardiac arrhythmias has received FDA clearance.

According to a press release issued by the company, the implantable cardiac monitor (Confirm Rx) can provide U.S. patients with new methods of monitoring arrhythmias while remotely connecting with their physician.

The monitor is implanted under the skin in the chest in a minimally invasive outpatient procedure and uses Bluetooth technology, which allows patients to connect their monitor to their smartphone using an app (myMerlin Mobile), according to the release.

The device collects data on cardiac arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation, which is then securely transmitted to a patient's physician via the mobile app on a schedule set by the clinic, the company stated in the release.

"By offering a device that uses Bluetooth wireless technology from the patient's smartphone, we can help physicians easily and remotely diagnose potentially dangerous abnormal heartbeats without requiring the patient to use a separate or cumbersome recording device,” Avi Fischer, MD, divisional vice president and medical director of Abbott's Cardiac Rhythm Management business, said in the release.

Disclosures: Fisher reports he is an employee of Abbott.