New Delhi, May 15 — Researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela, have developed a significant enhancement to conventional electrocardiography (ECG) that promises better detection of atrial arrhythmias, a common cause of cardiac-related complications such as stroke.
The innovation, named the Atrial Lead System (ALS), is a novel electrode placement method that enhances the visibility of the P-wave — the ECG signal associated with the upper chambers (atria) of the heart. According to the research team, this improvement could allow earlier and more accurate diagnosis of atrial fibrillation and other related irregularities, especially in resource-limited healthcare environments.
Addressing a Critical Gap in Cardiac Monitoring
Traditional ECGs, though widely used, often struggle to accurately capture the P-wave due to its small amplitude and interference from stronger electrical signals. This makes early detection of atrial arrhythmias challenging, especially in low-cost or busy clinical settings.“To address this, we designed a new lead configuration that strengthens atrial signal clarity without needing any modifications to the existing ECG machines,” said J Sivaraman, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, NIT-Rourkela.
Clinical Impact and Affordability
The ALS is fully compatible with existing ECG hardware, meaning it can be implemented across both public and private hospitals without incurring extra costs. The research team emphasized the ease of adoption, which could be especially impactful in developing healthcare systems.“By simply changing the way electrodes are placed, we’re able to improve diagnostic quality significantly,” Sivaraman noted.
Collaborative and Validated Research
The development was a collaborative effort led by Sivaraman, N Bala Chakravarthy, and Kunal Pal, alongside scholars Prasanna Venkatesh and Arya Bhardwaj. The system has been clinically validated with the support of Dr R Pradeep Kumar, Senior Interventional Cardiologist at MIOT International Hospital, Chennai.Dr Kumar highlighted the clinical relevance, stating, “A clearly-appreciated P wave in ECG gives a clue to the diagnosis of atrial pathology. Differentiating atrial fibrillation from other arrhythmias often depends on subtle changes in P-wave morphology.”
Backing and Recognition
The project is financially supported by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). The research findings have been published in leading peer-reviewed journals such as Biomedical Signal Processing and Control, Medical Hypotheses, and Physical and Engineering Sciences in Medicine. A patent application for the ALS has also been filed.With its low-cost adaptability and potential to improve early diagnosis, NIT-Rourkela’s Atrial Lead System stands poised to make a meaningful impact in global cardiac care.