Early Smartphone App-Based Remote Diagnosis of Silent Atrial Fibrillation and Ventricular Fibrillation in a Patient with Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Defibrillator

Abstract

Due to distressing statistics concerning cardiovascular diseases, remote monitoring of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) has received a priority recommendation in daily patient care. However, most bedside systems available so far are not optimal due to limited patient adherence. We report that smartphone app technology communicating with CIED improved the patient’s engagement and adherence, as well as the accuracy of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias diagnosis, thus offering more efficient treatment and, consequently, better patient clinical outcomes. Our findings are in concordance with previously published results for implantable loop recorders and pacemakers, and provide new insight for heart failure patients with an implanted cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator.

Keywords

• Bluetooth
• cardiac resynchronization therapy
• heart failure
• remote monitoring
• silent atrial fibrillation
• smartphone app