Implanted Monitor Alerting to Reduce Treatment Delay in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome Events.

Background: Increased pre-hospital delay during acute coronary syndrome (ACS) events contributes to worse outcome.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an implanted cardiac monitor with real-time alarms for abnormal ST-segment shifts to reduce pre-hospital delay during ACS events.

Methods: In the ALERTS (AngeLmed Early Recognition and Treatment of STEMI) pivotal study, subjects at high risk for recurrent ACS events (n = 907) were randomized to control (Alarms OFF) or treatment groups for 6 months, after which alarms were activated in all subjects (Alarms ON).

Implantable Cardiac Alert System for Early Recognition of ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Symptoms remain a poor prompt for acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Timely restoration of perfusion in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is associated with improved left ventricular function and survival.

Objectives: This report details the results of ALERTS (AngelMed for Early Recognition and Treatment of STEMI), a multicenter, randomized trial of an implantable cardiac monitor that alerts patients with rapidly progressive ST-segment deviation.