Scientists have developed a new ultrasound method capable of identifying hidden heart abnormalities associated with the risk of sudden cardiac arrest before symptoms appear.
The research findings, published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, detail how the imaging technology can spot subtle electrical flaws that traditional medical examinations routinely miss.
The technology, named Electromechanical Wave Imaging, functions like a conventional ultrasound scan by displaying the physical structure of the heart. However, it also visualises the propagation of electrical signals that trigger each contraction of the heart muscle.
Mapping electrical signals
During standard cardiac checkups, structural images often appear normal even when underlying electrical signals are disrupted. Electromechanical Wave Imaging integrates spatial imaging with real-time signal tracking, allowing clinicians to observe how electrical impulses travel across cardiac tissue.
The research team tested the technique on patients suffering from mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation. Both medical conditions can trigger dangerous heart rhythm disturbances and elevate the overall risk of sudden cardiac death.
Mitral valve prolapse is a structural condition where the valve between the upper and lower left chambers of the heart does not close properly. Mitral regurgitation occurs when blood leaks backward through the valve during a heartbeat, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood effectively.
Identifying early warning signs
The study revealed that delays in electrical activation occur within the heart muscle of patients even during the early stages of valve disease. In patients who had already developed heart rhythm disorders, the technology accurately pinpointed the precise origin of the pathological electrical impulses.
According to the study authors, a single non-invasive ultrasound scan proved sufficient to detect specific regions of the heart responsible for triggering arrhythmia.
The study noted that traditional diagnostic imaging techniques, including conventional ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and positron emission tomography, are unable to show these electrical changes.
Advances in cardiac diagnostics
Conventional magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scans provide detailed structural views of organ tissue, while positron emission tomography highlights metabolic activity. However, none of these standard imaging tools capture the immediate mechanical response of cardiac tissue to electrical signaling.
By offering a non-invasive way to locate arrhythmia sources early, Electromechanical Wave Imaging may allow doctors to intervene before severe cardiac events occur.
