Written By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | Published : October 21, 2014 7:41 PM IST
Two US high school sisters of Indian-origin sisters have developed a new screening test for diagnosis of lung problems and heart disease with the use of electronic stethoscope. Ilina Krishen, a high school senior at Port Huron Northern High School in Michigan, developed this detection tool out of curiosity in order to diagnose lung disease at an early age in individuals exposed to harmful air pollutants. This electronic stethoscope uses electromagnetic diaphragm that captures the movements of the organ as electrical signal.
The study was conducted in 16 smokers, 25 non-smokers and 13 fire-fighters. With the help of electronic stethoscope, one breath cycle from every subject was recorded. Frequency peaks (with a difference of above 125 Hz) were analysed. The results showed that the number of peaks was higher in smokers and fire-fighters, even though the later were non-smokers. Ilina said that the reason behind this might be that the fire-fighters are exposed to noxious chemicals and pollutants present in the air. She further added, 'Electronic stethoscope screening might help in detection of early changes in lung function in individuals with no symptoms of lung disease.'
Medha Krishen, Ilina's sister and a junior at Port Huron Northern High School, used the electronic stethoscope screened student athletes for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a disease in which the myocardium (inner heart muscle) becomes abnormally thick. She studied 13 students, of which 10 had a normal cardiac physical activity and three with HCM. Heart sounds within a span of 5-second periods were recorded as they lied down, stood and after exercising. Frequency peaks were analysed and studies showed a difference in distribution of frequency peaks between the two groups. While after exercise, normal athletes showed a lower percent of frequency peaks above 131 Hz and those at risk showed a significant difference in frequency peaks. This diagnosis process might help in detection of HCM in school children.
Image Source: Getty Images
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