Atrioventricular block registration with smart phone associated ECG device.

Abstract

IntroductionThe prevalence of cardiac rhythm disturbances increases with age and requires active screening for early detection. However, time, resources and costs are the main limiting factors for wider adoption of cardiac screening in the community setting. The ubiquitous access to the Internet and the dynamic adoption of smartphones provide opportunities for new technologies that transmit biomedical data, such asECG. An example of such technology is Kardia Heart Monitor (AliveCor, Inc) that connects wirelessly to the smartphone and allows 30-second rhythm strips to be recorded. Pocket-size, mobile health devices provide an unprecedented opportunity for physicians to detect abnormalities in a quick and hassle-free fashion [1] . Case ReportA 70-year-old woman with a history of hypertension (for one year) and exercise intolerance for 4 months was visiting a cardiologist, who performed a 1-lead ECG with smartphone application called Kardia (AliveCor, Inc.). Because of advanced second degree AV block with 2:1 and 3:1 the patient was referred to the hospital. At admission to the hospital the smartphone ECG and its interpretation were confirmed by standard 12-lead ECG. As is shown in Figure 1, no significant difference was noted between the two records. Both ECG tracings show sinus rhythm with atrioventricular block (3:1 and 2:1) with heart rate 48 bpm. Because of the advanced AV block, the decision to implant a permanent pacemaker was taken immediately.

Kardia Mobile applicability in clinical practice: A comparison of Kardia Mobile and standard 12-lead electrocardiogram records in 100 consecutive patients of a tertiary cardiovascular care center

“…It should be also noted that the number of reports considering mobile ECG record is rising. Apart from arrhythmias considered in this study, there is a possibility to record and diagnose other heart rhythm disturbances, including atrioventricular block [29]. This poses even greater area for implementation of these devices into general practitioner practice.…”