Does Climbing High-Altitude Areas Like Everest Increase the Risk of Arrhythmia?

Swiss Bern University Hospital
Cohort Study Using Electrocardiogram Measurement
Domestic Company 'ATsens' Utilizes Electrocardiogram Device

Does the incidence of arrhythmia increase when climbing Mount Everest, the world's highest peak at an altitude of 8,849 meters? A clinical trial using a domestically produced patch-type electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor is being conducted to verify this.

ATsens announced on the 24th that the University Hospital Inselspital Bern in Switzerland is conducting a clinical trial to evaluate the incidence and risk of arrhythmia in adults climbing Mount Everest using its patch-type long-term continuous ECG monitor, the 'AT-Patch (AT-Patch)'.

This clinical trial, named "Cardiac Arrhythmias at Extreme Altitude," is a prospective cohort study involving 30 healthy adults aged 18 to 80. During the climb of Mount Everest, ECGs will be recorded for up to 14 days using the AT-Patch (ATP-C130E) to assess the incidence and risk of arrhythmias at high altitude. This is the world's first clinical trial to evaluate the incidence and risk of arrhythmias in Everest climbers. The primary objective is to investigate the incidence of supraventricular and ventricular tachycardia as well as bradyarrhythmia during the climb. The secondary objective is to study clinical arrhythmias, ECG, and echocardiographic predictors at extreme altitudes. The study will continue until September.

This clinical trial was initiated when Inselspital Bern was searching for an ECG measurement device suitable for climbing Mount Everest. After evaluating the accuracy, reliability, and suitability of the AT-Patch in clinical tests, Inselspital directly proposed the clinical trial to ATsens. ATsens independently conducted low-pressure tests to confirm the device’s proper operation at high altitudes and verified the suitability of the AT-Patch for use.

ATsens announced on the 24th that the Inselspital, Bern University Hospital in Switzerland is conducting a clinical trial using its patch-type long-term continuous electrocardiogram monitor, the AT-Patch, to evaluate the incidence and risk of arrhythmia in adults climbing Mount Everest.
[Photo by ATsens]

The AT-Patch used in the clinical trial is the first domestically produced long-term continuous wearable ECG monitor approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is used for monitoring by measuring and analyzing cardiac signals (ECG) to diagnose arrhythmias and other heart diseases. With a thickness of 8.3 mm and a weight of 13 g, it is small and lightweight, capable of long-term ECG measurement for up to 14 days without separate charging or battery replacement. Its dustproof and waterproof features (IP44/IP57) allow daily activities including showering and light exercise during monitoring. When used together with ATsens’ AI algorithm-equipped ECG analysis software 'AT-Report,' it can improve medical staff’s work efficiency and diagnostic accuracy.

Jongwook Jung, CEO of ATsens, said, “We take pride in the fact that the AT-Patch was recognized for its suitability and selected for a clinical trial conducted in the extreme environment of Mount Everest. This is a result of the recognition of ATsens’ unique ECG analysis software technology.” He added, “Going forward, we will continue to contribute to the discovery and early diagnosis of heart disease patients domestically and internationally based on the advantages of the AT-Patch, and pay close attention to various clinical studies for heart health.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.