Innovation to transform lives of stroke patients

The latest innovative technology to flow through Scotland Innovates into the Accelerated National Innovation Adoption (ANIA) pathway is Ambulatory Electrocardiogram (ECG) Patch Monitors. Compact, wireless and water-resistant devices that are used to detect cardiac rhythm anomalies over extended periods of time.

Scottish Government funding of £1.9 million will support the deployment of ECG patch monitors for around 8,000 recent stroke patients each year. These small and easy-to-use chest patches will replace the larger and more cumbersome models currently in use. As well as being more practical, they provide more accurate readings to allow doctors to make faster and more effective decisions about follow-on treatment.

The compact, wireless, and water-resistant devices are worn on the skin for up to 14 days to detect rhythm abnormalities in the heart, particularly atrial fibrillation – a leading cause of stroke.

The ECG patch monitors are expected to be four times more effective at detecting atrial fibrillation than current methods, reducing diagnosis and treatment times from up to 24 months to just three weeks.

Patients will also benefit from reduced travel, as patches can be applied during diagnosis or conveniently posted to their homes. Standardised access across Scotland will help eliminate regional disparities in diagnosis and treatment.

Starting in November 2026, ECG Patch Monitors will be introduced across Scotland in a phased rollout over the following 12 months.