Do You Know What CAN Is?

Catch it if you CAN?

“Advances in technology, built on decades of research and clinical testing, now make it possible to objectively identify the early stages of CAN with the use of careful measurement of autonomic function,” stated by A. Vinik, MD and D. Ziegler, MD in the January 2007 issue of Circulation.
Once discovered, ANS dysfunction can be treated using therapies to restore the balance of both ANS branches; the sympathetic and parasympathetic. “If left unbridled, persistent over-activity of the ANS will result in irreparable damage culminating in hypertension, cardiac muscle dysfunction and even ultimate failure,” according to the December 2007 issue of U.S. Endocrine Disease by authors Vinik, et al.

You may be asking “why haven’t I heard much about ANS dysfunction and CAN before today?” ANS dysfunction is asymptomatic and until the development of ANSAR’s technology, ANS dysfunction could not be observed and/or detected until organ damage or neuropathy had already occurred. Originally developed at the MIT and Harvard Medical School Biomedical Engineering group in the early 1980s, ANSAR’s patented technology is the first and only medical tool available to give clear readings of both branches of the ANS independently and simultaneously with no mixed signals. The test is non-invasive, with real time, quantifiable measures.

ANSAR’s technology incorporates the respiratory signal into the frequency analysis of HRV. The HRV and respiratory signals are analyzed through continuous wavelet transform signal processing, which enables transient frequency analysis. These independent measurements of the sympathetic and parasympathetic generate quantitative and qualitative data enabling physicians to adjust treatment protocol for the individual patient.

Who is specializing in CAN?

Medicare and most major private payers reimburse for ANS testing when billed under two CPT codes. A joint editorial and Scientific Statement released by the American Heart Association (AHA) in 1999 recommends “ANS testing as the Standard of Care for all diabetes and cardiovascular patients.” Vinik and Ziegler mention in the January 2007 issue of Circulation that ANSAR is the tool to measure ANS activity.

A simple and non-invasive tool is necessary to aid physicians across disciplines in the diagnosis and treatment of ANS dysfunction. Currently, ANSAR’s technology is helping physicians improve patient care by stopping the progression of CAN nation-wide. Every physician now has the ability to specialize in CAN using ANSAR’s technology. Stop the progression of CAN. Start monitoring the ANS.