Advantages of
Multifunction Cardiogram (MCG)
The Advantages of the Multifunction Cardiogram (MCG) Over Other Legacy Non-Invasive Cardiac Studies, a Call-for-Action-Declaration.
Advantages of
Multifunction Cardiogram (MCG)
The Advantages of the Multifunction Cardiogram (MCG) Over Other Legacy Non-Invasive Cardiac Studies, a Call-for-Action-Declaration.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide, accounting for over
17.9 million deaths annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) (https://www.who.int/
news-room/fact-sheets/detail/the-top-10-causes-of-death ).
Coronary artery disease (CAD), a major subset
of CVD, is responsible for a significant portion of these deaths.
CAD occurs when the coronary arteries
that supply blood to the heart muscle become narrowed or blocked due to the buildup of cholesterol and other materials on their inner walls.
This can lead to angina (chest pain), myocardial infarction (heart attack), and potentially sudden cardiac death.
Early and accurate detection of CAD is crucial for effective intervention and management.
Although effective for late-stage coronary artery disease, traditional diagnostic methods, such as stress tests, echocardiography, and coronary angiography, come with certain limitations, especially in the accurate early detection of earlier-stage myocardial ischemia from ALL root causes, including obstructive coronary artery disease in time for disease prevention and reversal.
Stress tests can be physically demanding for
patients and sometimes inconclusive. Echocardiography, while non-invasive, cannot detect early-stage CAD. Furthermore, all these modalities do not detect metabolic origin for heart anomalies and microvascular disease, thus the infamous “Syndrome X,” especially for women with pre-diabetes or Diabetes.
Coronary angiography, the gold standard for diagnosing CAD, is invasive, costly, and not
without risks such as bleeding, infection, and radiation exposure (Premier Heart). Coronary angiography also does not detect metabolic heart dysfunctions and small vessel coronary disease for arteries less than 7 mm in diameter, most of the heart's blood supply. Multitudes of causes of myocardial ischemia due to neurohormonal disorders, chronic exposures to stress, substance abuse, environmental toxins, food toxicity, etc., are not included in these legacy heart tests. It has been well established that None Invasive Tests, NIT, produce high false positive rates, sending millions of patients for invasive and potentially deadly unnecessary coronary angiography (1). Patel MR et al. published their findings from data mining of nearly 400,000 patients in the ACC database, finding Low diagnostic yield of elective coronary angiography with a false positive rate of 62%! (2) The $100 million now 13-year-long Ischemia trial definitively confirmed the findings of the famous “COURAGE TRIAL” (3) that there is no difference in outcomes of patients who undergo coronary interventions vs. patients treated conservatively with medications. In addition, the “ISCHEMIA STUDY” (4) uncovered that 13 15% of the patients who participated in both arms of the study suffered Major Adverse Cardiac Events, MACE, including Sudden Death. These landmark findings challenge the wisdom of the entire paradigm of focusing on “obstructive coronary artery disease” and sending patients to the Cath labs for intervention or Coronary Bypass Surgeries’ validity and necessity. There is an urgent need for a new direction.
We declare that Heart’s Multifunction Cardiogram TM (MCG) by Premier Heart represents a significant advancement in non-invasive cardiac diagnostics, addressing many of the limitations of the legacy traditional heart tests. (5-23) Premier Heart’s MCGTM utilizes advanced computational biology and systems analysis to assess the heart's function comprehensively. By integrating data from multiple cardiac signals, Premier Heart’s MCGTM offers a precise and quantitative analysis of overall cardiac health, essential for the early detection and management of CAD and ischemia of ALL known or unknown root causes, including but not limited to metabolic heart disease which is 2/3 of all the known ischemic heart
diseases based on the vast data sets Premier Heart team has accumulated over the decades, metabolic microvascular disease, and functional abnormalities related to numerous root causes of heart physiological dysfunctions, such as due to neurohormonal disorders, chronic exposures to stress, Insulin resistance/pre-diabetes, Diabetes, substance abuse, environmental toxins, food toxicity, etc.
Unlike traditional methods, MCG is noninvasive, quick, and cost-effective. It employs a simple surface resting ECG to gather data, which is then analyzed not in the traditional time domain of an EKG but in a power spectral domain analysis, deploying six mathematic transformations based on auto- and cross- power spectra computations. Using sophisticated algorithms to detect coronary lesions and numerous other cardiac abnormalities, the MCG has shown a high correlation with Angiography. The ability to provide rapid, accurate, and quantitative results makes MCG a valuable tool in routine bedside and emergency clinical settings (https://open.substack.com/pub/mcgdoc/p/a-side-by-side-comparison-chart-between?r=q7iae&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web). The MCG offers numerous benefits over traditional cardiac diagnostic methods, including non- invasiveness, rapid results, high accuracy, and cost-effectiveness. Its advanced technological framework provides clinicians with a powerful tool for early detection and effective bedside management of CAD, ultimately aiming to reduce the global burden of cardiovascular diseases.
The MCG offers numerous benefits over
traditional cardiac diagnostic methods!
Technological Superiority
Premier Heart’s Multifunction CardiogramTM (MCG) employs comprehensive mathematical signal
processing and systems analysis to interpret ECG data from an integrated perspective. This innovative approach allows for the precise quantification of cardiac function, offering a comprehensive assessment of the heart's health. The technology behind MCG represents a significant leap forward in non-invasive cardiac diagnostics, leveraging computational biology and systems analysis to provide clinicians with detailed, actionable insights.
Mathematical Computational Machine-learning Signal Processing and Systems Analysis
MCG technology integrates multiple cardiac signals to build a detailed mathematical model of the heart's function. Traditional ECG methods take a reductionistic view, focusing on individual signals in isolation. In contrast, MCG synthesizes these signals, considering the heart's electrical activity, mechanical function, and blood flow dynamics. This holistic approach is facilitated by advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques that analyze the ECG's spectral components.
High Sensitivity and Specificity:
Comparable to Coronary Angiography: MCG has been demonstrated to have sensitivity and specificity levels comparable to coronary angiography, the current gold standard in
CAD detection. Studies have shown MCG's ability to detect significant coronary lesions with high accuracy, even at early stages where lumen encroachment is less than 70%
(https://openheart.bmj.com/content/1/1/e000144)
Early Detection: MCG's high sensitivity allows for the early detection of CAD, enabling timely medical interventions that can prevent the progression of the disease and reduce the risk of adverse cardiac events.
Quantitative Analysis:
MCG Score: The system assigns an MCG Score that quantifies the severity of cardiac physiological dysfunction of ALL known or unknown causes. This score is derived from the comprehensive analysis of the mathematically transformed digitized ECG data from only two resting leads (V5 and II). It reflects the overall burden of cardiovascular disease observed during the test (Premier Heart).
Differential Diagnosis: Along with the MCG Score, the system provides a set of differential diagnoses. These are based on specific patterns detected in the digitized mathematically transformed ECG data, guiding clinicians toward potential underlying conditions contributing to the patient's cardiac profile. This feature enhances diagnostic accuracy and aids in formulating targeted treatment plans (Premier Heart).
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Benefits of MCG Technology
Rapid Diagnosis:
Speed:
An MCG test session and subsequent analysis can typically be completed within 10 minutes, making it practical for routine screenings and urgent care scenarios. This rapid turnaround is crucial in emergency settings where timely decision-making can significantly impact patient outcomes.
Accurate Diagnosis:
Objective Results:
The MCG diagnostic process is purely evidence-based, concluding a vast database of clinically verified results. This objective approach eliminates the subjectivity often associated with traditional ECG interpretation, providing consistent and reliable results.
Non-Invasive:
No Stress or Radiation:
MCG testing involves only a surface resting ECG, avoiding the need for stress tests, cardiac MRI, or nuclear perfusion imaging. This makes the procedure safer and more comfortable for patients, particularly those who cannot undergo stress testing due to physical limitations (https://www.premierheart.com/webapp/contents/compchart.php ).
Patient-Friendly:
Cost-Effective:
As a non-invasive in-office procedure, MCG is significantly less costly than many other diagnostic modalities. The initial investment in MCG equipment is lower than required for CT or MRI angiography, and the per-test costs are comparable to those of traditional ECG procedures.
In summary, the technological superiority of the MCG lies in its advanced signal processing and systems analysis capabilities. These features enable high sensitivity and specificity in CAD detection and provide a quantitative analysis supporting early and accurate diagnosis. MCG's non-invasive, rapid, and cost effective nature makes it an invaluable tool for modern cardiac care, offering significant advantages over traditional diagnostic methods.
Clinical Benefits
The Multifunction Cardiogram (MCG) offers several clinical benefits, making it an invaluable tool for modern cardiac diagnostics. These benefits encompass the rapid and accurate diagnosis capabilities and the test's patient-friendly, noninvasive nature, contributing to its overall effectiveness and efficiency in various clinical settings.
Rapid Diagnosis:
An MCG test session and subsequent analysis can typically be completed within 10 minutes, making it highly practical for routine screenings and urgent care scenarios.
This rapid turnaround time is essential in emergency settings, where timely diagnosis can significantly impact patient outcomes. The quick processing allows clinicians to make swift and informed decisions about further diagnostic steps or treatment plans.
Accurate Diagnosis:
In a routine clinical environment, the speed of MCG testing means more patients can be screened within a shorter period, improving overall workflow efficiency and patient throughput.
This is particularly beneficial in busy cardiology practices where time is critical.
Evidence-Based Analysis:
The MCG provides evidence-based, quantitative results, which eliminates the subjectivity associated with traditional ECG interpretation.
The data is processed using advanced algorithms and compared against a vast database of clinically verified results, ensuring high accuracy and consistency (https://www.premierheart.com/webapp/downloads/ Whitepapers/whitepaper-medical.pdf )
Consistency and Reliability:
The objective nature of MCG analysis reduces the potential for human error in interpretation, leading to more reliable and reproducible results.
This consistency is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective patient management, especially in cases where early coronary artery disease (CAD) detection is critical.
Stress-Free Testing:
Unlike stress tests, cardiac MRI, or nuclear perfusion imaging, MCG testing involves only a surface resting ECG. This makes the procedure stress-free for patients, as it does not require physical exertion or exposure to potentially harmful radiation.
The absence of stressinduced factors also means that MCG can be used on a broader range of patients, including those who may not be able to undergo stress testing due to physical limitations or health conditions.
Patient-Friendly:
MCG's noninvasive nature ensures no risks are associated with radiation or contrast agents commonly used in other imaging modalities.
This safety profile makes MCG suitable for repeated use in ongoing patient monitoring and follow-up assessments.
Lower Costs:
MCG testing is significantly less expensive than other diagnostic modalities. The initial investment in MCG equipment is lower than that in CT or MRI angiography machines, and the per-test costs are comparable to those of traditional ECG procedures.
This cost-effectiveness makes MCG an attractive option for healthcare providers looking to optimize their diagnostic capabilities without incurring high expenses.
For a cost between $250 to $500, some of the most challenging, costly, and time-consuming pathological conditions, such as global or local myocardial ischemia, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, congenital anomalies, Rheumatic or Pulmonary Heart disease, and cardiac physiological dysfunctions can be detected for 10 minutes at parents’ bedside, a feat considered impossible in the minds of the academics and expert cardiologists.
Any of these difficult-to-diagnose conditions would take weeks of visiting the specialists and undergoing telescoping of expensive, inaccurate, and unreliable tests.
The costs could amount to tens of thousands of dollars. In the end, the patients still get misdiagnosed and left alone on their own.
Economic Efficiency:
The reduced costs associated with MCG testing translate into broader accessibility and affordability for patients, increasing cardiac diagnostics' overall reach and impact. Healthcare systems can achieve significant savings by incorporating MCG into their diagnostic protocols, particularly in high patient volumes.
Lower Costs:
MCG testing is significantly less expensive than other diagnostic modalities. The initial investment in MCG equipment is lower than that in CT or MRI angiography machines, and the per-test costs are comparable to those of traditional ECG procedures.
This cost-effectiveness makes MCG an attractive option for healthcare providers looking to optimize their diagnostic capabilities without incurring high expenses.
For a cost between $250 to $500, some of the most challenging, costly, and time-consuming pathological conditions, such as global or local myocardial ischemia, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, congenital anomalies, Rheumatic or Pulmonary Heart disease, and cardiac physiological dysfunctions can be detected for 10 minutes at parents’ bedside, a feat considered impossible in the minds of the academics and expert cardiologists.
Any of these difficult-to-diagnose conditions would take weeks of visiting the specialists and undergoing telescoping of expensive, inaccurate, and unreliable tests.
The costs could amount to tens of thousands of dollars. In the end, the patients still get misdiagnosed and left alone on their own.
Economic Efficiency:
The reduced costs associated with MCG testing translate into broader accessibility and affordability for patients, increasing cardiac diagnostics' overall reach and impact. Healthcare systems can achieve significant savings by incorporating MCG into their diagnostic protocols, particularly in high patient volumes.
In summary, the clinical benefits of the Multifunction Cardiogram (MCG) include its rapid and accurate diagnostic capabilities, which are crucial for timely and effective patient care.
Additionally, MCG can independently and objectively measure/monitor the impact of lifestyle changes on eating habits, treatment options, environmental factors, etc. The test's noninvasive, stress-free nature and cost-effectiveness make it a superior alternative to traditional cardiac diagnostic methods, providing significant advantages for patients and healthcare providers.
Comparative Advantages
Several distinct advantages of the multifunction cardiogram (MCG)...
Become apparent compared to other noninvasive cardiac studies such as stress echocardiography, nuclear perfusion imaging, and cardiac MRI. These advantages highlight MCG’s capability to provide early detection of cardiac issues and a comprehensive assessment of cardiac function.
Ischemia, among other difficult diagnosing conditions Detection at Earlier Stages:
Advanced Sensitivity:
The MCG can detect coronary ischemia at earlier stages than many traditional techniques. Unlike stress echocardiography and nuclear perfusion imaging, which often require significant blockage or stress-induced conditions to identify ischemia, MCG can detect subclinical levels of ischemia, where the lumen encroachment is less than 70 (https://www.premierheart.com/webapp/contents/compchart.php ). This early detection allows for more timely and less invasive interventions, such as lifestyle modifications or medical therapy, which can prevent the progression of coronary artery disease (CAD).
Preventive Healthcare:
By identifying ischemia before it manifests into more severe symptoms or events, MCG facilitates a proactive approach to cardiovascular health. Early interventions can benefit patients, potentially reducing the risk of heart attacks and improving long-term outcomes.
Comprehensive Assessment
Holistic View of Cardiac Function
Integration of Multiple Cardiac Signals:
The MCG provides a holistic assessment of cardiac function by integrating various cardiac signals into a single, coherent analysis. Traditional methods like stress echocardiography primarily focus on the mechanical aspects of heart function, while nuclear perfusion imaging and cardiac MRI concentrate on perfusion and structural details. Conversely, MCG synthesizes electrical, mechanical, and hemodynamic data to evaluate the heart's overall function comprehensively.
Mathematical Modeling:
MCG constructs a detailed mathematical model of the heart's activity using advanced signal processing and systems analysis. This model considers the intricate interactions between different cardiac functions, providing a more nuanced and accurate picture of cardiac health. The result is a set of quantitative metrics that can precisely indicate various cardiac conditions, including CAD, myocardial infarction, and other forms of heart disease.
Comprehensive Assessment
Comparison with Traditional Methods
Stress Echocardiography:
Stress echocardiography requires patients to undergo physical exertion or pharmacological stress, which can be challenging for individuals with limited mobility or those in acute distress. MCG, in contrast, is a resting test that does not require any form of stress induction, making it more accessible and safer for a broader range of patients.
Nuclear Perfusion Imaging:
This method involves exposure to radioactive tracers, which can be risky and contraindicated for specific patient populations. MCG avoids these risks entirely by using noninvasive ECG signal analysis.
Cardiac MRI:
While highly detailed, cardiac MRI is expensive, time-consuming, and only sometimes readily available. MCG offers a rapid, cost-effective alternative that can be performed in a typical clinical setting, providing immediate results without requiring extensive equipment or specialized facilities
In summary, MCG stands out for its ability to detect ischemia at earlier stages and provide a comprehensive assessment of cardiac function by integrating multiple cardiac signals.
Its noninvasive nature, combined with its rapid and cost-effective operation, makes it a superior choice compared to traditional noninvasive cardiac studies. These comparative advantages position MCG as a crucial tool in modern cardiology, enhancing early detection and comprehensive cardiac care.
FAQS
WHAT IS THE HEART FIT CLINIC?
The Heart Fit Clinic is a cardiac rehabilitation, maintenance and heart attack and stroke prevention clinic.
We are a group of multi-disciplinary healthcare professionals dedicated to our mission.
It is our passion to help the people become more aware of their chronic disease risk factors and equip them with lifestyle strategies to improve their heart health.
DO I NEED A DOCTOR'S REFERRAL TO COME TO THE HEART FIT CLINIC?
Clients can refer themselves to the Heart Fit Clinic.
If required after their initial assessment with our Cardiovascular Nurse, we will seek a physician consent/referral on the client’s behalf.
Healthcare providers can seek our referral forms and fax them to our clinic at (403) 278-4333.
DO I NEED HEART PROBLEMS TO COME TO THE HEART FIT CLINIC?
No. Heart disease is the number one cause of death of men and women in Canada, but it is also the number one preventable disease.
If you are concerned about your heart health we encourage you to see our experts at the Heart Fit Clinic.
WHO COMES TO THE HEART FIT CLINIC?
People concerned about their heart health. People who have risk factors for chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke or diabetes.
People with heart problems such as heart disease, valvular disease, congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure or heart rhythm problems (atrial fibrillation or flutter, patients treated with a pacemaker or implantable cardiac defibrillator).
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TOTAL CARDIOLOGY REHAB (CARDIAC WELLNESS INSTUTUTE) & THE HEART FIT CLINIC?
Both clinics are private clinics and offer reputable cardiac rehabilitation programs. Total Cardiology is a co-funded program ($500 cost), meaning that they receive funds from the government to conduct their program.
This structure forces them to see many people a year with group exercise classes with reduced individual attention. The exercise classes are limited scheduling twice weekly. To qualify for this program you must have diagnosed heart disease, and the program cannot be repeated without evidence of another cardiovascular event (i.e. heart attack).
The Heart Fit Clinic is not funded, allowing us to give the individual attention people deserve and assist them to reach their cardiovascular goals. The Heart Fit Clinic offers flexible scheduling from 7am to 7pm and is open Monday to Saturday.
In addition to our cardiac rehabilitation and maintenance programs, the Heart Fit Clinic has a unique and highly regarded cardiac prevention program. We also offer individual guidance regarding supplements, medications and conventional and traditional therapies.
Combining the best of traditional and conventional cardiology so you can live longer.
Please refer to our patient testimonials.
WHAT SERVICES DOES THE HEART FIT CLINIC OFFER?
The Heart Fit Clinic offers:
Cardiac Assessments
Carotid IMT screening
Clinical Fitness Assessments
Clinic Exercise Programs (aerobic, strength and flexibility.)
Cardiac Yoga
Stress Management sessions
Dietitian
Psychological assessments
Consultations, including education material in all of these areas.
We have various programs available to meet your individual needs.
We offer various programs and services.
IS CAROTID IMT SAFE?
Yes. Carotid IMT is a simple ultrasound of the carotid artery in the neck. Unlike most tests used to screen blood vessel health, C-IMT is non-invasive, painless and radiation-free.
HOW LONG DOES CAROTID IMT TAKE?
The Carotid IMT portion of our comprehensive Coronary Risk Profile takes about 10 to 20 minutes to complete.
IS IMT COVERED BY GOVERNMENT HEALTH CARE?
Our services are tax deductible, unfortunately at this time AHC does not cover our programs.
However our services have been covered by extended health care insurance providers.
Please see our fees and schedules.
CAN THE HEART FIT CLINIC DIAGNOSE CARIOVASCULAR DISEASE FROM CAROTID IMT?
No. The Heart Fit Clinic uses your C-IMT score in conjunction with the other information obtained from our comprehensive cardiac assessment to provide you with a complete profile of your risk for cardiovascular disease.
We encourage your to share your results with your doctor, as he/she is responsible for overseeing your health care plan.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLINICAL EXCERSISE PROGRAMS AND A REGULAR PERSONAL TRAINER?
The difference is that you are supervised by a certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP). Our CEPs are qualified to monitor your vital signs during an exercise session to ensure a safe and effective level of exercise.
These include: ECG (electrocardiography), heart rhythm, blood pressure, oxygen level and heart rate. The CEP focuses on ensuring safe aerobic, strength and flexibility training to reach your personal goals.
They possess academic excellence and experience in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and prevention.
They are qualified to read and conduct stress tests, provide clinical exercise prescription and elite supervised exercises sessions.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE HEART FIT CLINIC AND MY FAMILY DOCTOR?
The Heart Fit Clinic work in conjunction with your family doctor to provide the best for your heart health. Family doctors realize that they do not have the time resource to address all your risk factors to heart disease and go over in detail all the lifestyle modification strategies to reduce or reverse your risk of heart disease.
Doctors refer to our program as they understand the benefits of our services. If you are without symptoms for heart disease then they may be hesitant at referring you for further investigation for heart disease due to overloading the system.
You may have a clean bill of health but if you are concerned about your heart health then the Heart Fit Clinic is your best option. Yes you can take advantage of our online programs or you can contact us today.
Many of our assessment services unfortunately will not be found at your doctors office. That is why we get referrals to our practices. Remember you are 100% responsible for your heart health. We look forward to helping you with your heart health.
WHY THE HEART FIT CLINIC?
The Heart Fit Clinic was founded based on the principle of “how would I want to be treated if I had a heart event?”.
With the experience, expertise and academic excellence of the Heart Fit Clinic team, it is our passion to help the people achieve their heart health goals.
FEATURED EXTENSIVELY
IN THE MEDIA
