American Heart Journal Plus (May 2023)

Usefulness of wearable electrocardiography devices in patients experiencing paroxysmal cardiac-related symptoms: A case series of the “CardioSecur” system

  • Johanna McChord,
  • Cathrin Theis,
  • Sarah Fröbel,
  • Andreas Seitz,
  • Udo Sechtem,
  • Raffi Bekeredjian,
  • Peter Ong

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 29
p. 100295

Abstract

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Background: Electrocardiograms (ECGs) recorded with wearable devices and additional smartphone apps play an increasing role in cardiology. Case summaries: We present two cases in which it was possible to record an ECG during cardiac-related symptoms using the patients' smartphones. Previous standard resting and 24-hour ECGs had revealed no pathologies. In one case, AV nodal reentry tachycardia was detected and treated accordingly. In the second case, ischemic ECG changes were recorded in a young woman without cardiovascular risk factors during a chest pain episode. Suspecting a coronary vasomotion disorder, an invasive diagnostic procedure was performed. The acetylcholine spasm provocation test revealed coronary microvascular spasm and appropriate therapy was initiated. Discussion: Smartphone-based ECG systems which can be used by the patient independently while experiencing cardiac-related symptoms are a modern diagnostic tool. Considering the use of these systems is beneficial for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment for paroxysmal arrhythmias and coronary vasomotion disorders.

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