Sky Labs' CART Monitor Shows Promise in AF and HF Patient Care

Sky Labs, a Korean healthcare technology company, has made a significant stride in blood pressure monitoring with the launch of its ring-type blood pressure monitor, CART, at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2026 in Munich, Germany. The company’s device has demonstrated its utility in managing atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) patients, highlighting its multifaceted value in clinical settings.

Professor Ki-Hong Lee from Chonnam National University Hospital presented a study on AF patients, utilizing the CART blood pressure monitor. Lee reported an analyzable data rate of approximately 80% over a 24-hour period, marking the first time such a device has been shown to effectively monitor nocturnal dipping patterns in AF patients. This achievement underscores the potential of CART in providing continuous and accurate blood pressure tracking, even in patients with irregular pulses.

In another study, Professor In-Cheol Kim from Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital compared the CART blood pressure monitor with conventional 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitors (ABPM) in severe HF patients. The comparison revealed high agreement between the two devices, with both meeting the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) error margin criteria. This confirmation establishes CART as a reliable tool for personalized treatment of HF patients.

The CART blood pressure monitor, which uses photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) deep learning, has been validated through various clinical tests. Professor Hae-Young Lee from Seoul National University Hospital conducted a Static Test, Device Position Test, Awake/Asleep Test, and Exercise Test, all of which reaffirmed the reliability of the device according to ESH recommendations. Professor Eun-Mi Lee from Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital shared a case where the monitor helped in reducing medication in a patient experiencing cuff-induced pain and stress. Additionally, Professor Jong-Chan Youn from Seoul St. Mary's Hospital analyzed over 12,000 breathing disorder events in 62 sleep apnea patients, tracking significant blood pressure surges following breathing resumption.

The research also highlighted the device’s ability to enable continuous blood pressure tracking in patients who previously faced measurement limitations with conventional cuffs. Professor Seok-Min Kang from Severance Hospital and Professor George Stergiou from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens both commented that Sky Labs is one of the few companies worldwide strictly adhering to rigorous ESH validation criteria for cuffless devices.

The CART blood pressure monitor has already gained widespread acceptance, with over 2,000 Korean medical institutions prescribing it, and over 300,000 cumulative prescriptions. It was officially recommended in the 2026 Korean Society of Hypertension Guidelines (6th Edition), marking a world-first for ring-type cuffless monitors. According to Jack ByungHwan Lee, CEO of Sky Labs, the company plans to accelerate its expansion into European and global markets, building on the success of the device in managing complex cardiovascular conditions like AF and HF.

This advancement in blood pressure monitoring technology could significantly improve patient outcomes and streamline treatment processes for AF and HF patients, offering a more convenient and effective solution for continuous blood pressure monitoring.