Colon screenings and breast exams have become a routine part of health care. But there isn't regular screening for sudden cardiac death. Dr. David Rosenbaum is the lead author of the MetroHealth study. He says despite the fact that sudden cardiac death is the leading cause of heart-related death in the United States, there hasn't been a widely available way to screen at risk patients.
David Rosenbaum: For any screening test to be accepted into widespread practice, you'd like it to be as simple, as inexpensive and as non-invasive as possible.
The study found a less costly, computer aided test, known as the T-WAVE alternans test, was just as effective as an invasive test administered by a specialist. Dr. Rosenbaum calls the outpatient test "the mammogram" of the heart world. The test can also better screen patients who would benefit from an implanted defibrillator, which are costly and not always needed. Elaine Falk, 90.3.