Debatable issues in automated ECG reporting

Abstract

2 Highlights Four areas of topical interest in automated ECG reporting were debated at the 2017 International Society of Computerized Electrocardiology (ISCE) conference. These included the value of automated ECG interpretation, real time ambulatory ECG monitoring, ECG imaging and single channel ECG rhythm interpretation  Advantages and disadvantages were elaborated in each of the four topics.3 AbstractAlthough automated ECG analysis has been available for many years, there are some aspects which require to be re-assessed with respect to their value while newer techniques which are worthy of review are beginning to find their way into routine use. At the annual International Society of Computerized Electrocardiology conference held in April, 2017, four areas in particular were debated. These were a) automated 12 lead resting ECG analysis; b) real time out of hospital ECG monitoring; c) ECG imaging; and d) single channel ECG rhythm interpretation.One speaker presented the positive aspects of each technique and another outlined the more negative aspects. Debate ensued. There were many positives set out for each technique but equally, more negative features were not in short supply, particularly for out of hospital ECG monitoring.4

Cryptogenic Stroke and Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source: Risk Factors and Approaches for Detection of Atrial Fibrillation

“…12-lead office ECG requires a hospital visit and trained personnel to record the ECG. ECG recording is short and there are frequent errors in placement of electrodes, involving those that are placed on chest and extremities [ 86 ]. With prolonged ECG recording, which lasts from 24 to 72 hours, patients often experience inconvenience while wearing the device, and there is a lot of noise at the time of recording [ 52 , 53 , 59 ].…”

“…The smartphone-based device has an indisputable advantage as it can be used by a patient independently, but its disadvantage is a single-channel recording as well as a short recording time of up to 30 seconds [ 66 , 86 ].…”

“…False positive alarms strainthe staff as it takes time to respond to an episode. There is also a lot of noise produced during the recording and battery-related problems [ 86 ].…”