Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia, and its prevalence is increasing. Early diagnosis is important to reduce the risk of stroke. Mobile health (mHealth) devices, such as single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) devices, have been introduced to the worldwide consumer market over the past decade. Recent studies have assessed the usability of these devices for detection of AF, but it remains unclear if the use of mHealth devices leads to a higher AF detection rate.

The goal of the research was to conduct a systematic review of the diagnostic detection rate of AF by mHealth devices compared with traditional outpatient follow-up. Study participants were aged 16 years or older and had an increased risk for an arrhythmia and an indication for ECG follow-up—for instance, after catheter ablation or presentation to the emergency department with palpitations or (near) syncope. The intervention was the use of an mHealth device, defined as a novel device for the diagnosis of rhythm disturbances, either a handheld electronic device or a patch-like device worn on the patient’s chest. Control was standard (traditional) outpatient care, defined as follow-up via general practitioner or regular outpatient clinic visits with a standard 12-lead ECG or Holter monitoring. The main outcome measures were the odds ratio (OR) of AF detection rates.

Two reviewers screened the search results, extracted data, and performed a risk of bias assessment. A heterogeneity analysis was performed, forest plot made to summarize the results of the individual studies, and albatross plot made to allow the P values to be interpreted in the context of the study sample size.

A total of 3384 articles were identified after a database search, and 14 studies with a 4617 study participants were selected. All studies but one showed a higher AF detection rate in the mHealth group compared with the control group (OR 1.00-35.71), with all RCTs showing statistically significant increases of AF detection (OR 1.54-19.16). Statistical heterogeneity between studies was considerable, with a Q of 34.1 and an I² of 61.9, and therefore it was decided to not pool the results into a meta-analysis.

Although the results of 13 of 14 studies support the effectiveness of mHealth interventions compared with standard care, study results could not be pooled due to considerable clinical and statistical heterogeneity. However, smartphone-connectable ECG devices provide patients with the ability to document a rhythm disturbance more easily than with standard care, which may increase empowerment and engagement with regard to their illness. Clinicians must beware of overdiagnosis of AF, as it is not yet clear when an mHealth-detected episode of AF must be deemed significant.

• atrial fibrillation
• cardiology
• eHealth
• mHealth
• systematic review
• telemedicine

• e-Health
• general cardiology
• implementation

• e-Health
• medication adherence
• medication reminders
• mobile phones
• prevention
• smart pill boxes

Recent evidence suggests that frequent monitoring using smartphone-compatible wearable technologies might improve clinical effectiveness and patient satisfaction of care.

The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical effectiveness and patient satisfaction of a smart technology intervention in patients admitted with a ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or non-ST acute coronary syndrome (NST-ACS).

In this single center, open, randomized controlled trial patients who suffered from STEMI or NST-ACS will be randomized 1:1 to an intervention group or control group. Both groups will be followed up to one year after the index event. The intervention group will take daily measurements with a smartphone-compatible electrocardiogram device, blood pressure (BP) monitor, weight scale, and activity tracker. Furthermore, two of four outpatient clinic visits will be replaced by electronic visits (1 and 6 months after index event). The control group will receive regular care, consisting of four outpatient clinic visits (1, 3, 6, and 12 months after index event). All patients will be asked to fill in validated questionnaires about patient satisfaction, quality of life, propensity of medication adherence, and physical activity.

The primary outcome of this trial will be percentage of patients with controlled BP. Secondary outcomes include patient satisfaction, health care utilization, major adverse cardiac events, medication adherence, physical activity, quality of life, and percentage of patients in which a sustained arrhythmia is detected.

Smart technology could potentially improve care in postmyocardial infarction patients. This trial will investigate whether usage of smart technology can improve clinical- and cost-effectiveness of care.

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02976376; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02976376 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6tcvAdbdH)

• hypertension
• myocardial infarction
• telemedicine

Many adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) are affected lifelong by cardiac events, particularly arrhythmias and heart failure. Despite the care provided, the cardiac event rate remains high. Mobile health (mHealth) brings opportunities to enhance daily monitoring and hence timely response in an attempt to improve outcome. However, it is not known if adults with CHD are currently using mHealth and what type of mHealth they may need in the near future.

Consecutive adult patients with CHD who visited the outpatient clinic at the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam were asked to fill out questionnaires. Exclusion criteria for this study were mental impairment or inability to read and write Dutch.

All 118 patients participated (median age 40 (range 18–78) years, 40 % male, 49 % symptomatic) and 92 % owned a smartphone. Whereas only a small minority (14 %) of patients used mHealth, the large majority (75 %) were willing to start. Most patients wanted to use mHealth in order to receive more information on physical health, and advice on progression of symptoms or signs of deterioration. Analyses on age, gender and complexity of defect showed significantly less current smartphone usage at older age, but no difference in interest or preferences in type of mHealth application for the near future.

The relatively young adult CHD population only rarely uses mHealth, but the majority are motivated to start using mHealth. New mHealth initiatives are required in these patients with a chronic condition who need lifelong surveillance in order to reveal if a reduction in morbidity and mortality and improvement in quality of life can be achieved.

• Arrhythmia
• Congenital heart disease
• GUCH
• Heart failure
• Lifestyle
• Mobile health
• Quality of life
• eHealth
• mHealth

• No funding

• ICDs
• cardiovascular imaging
• clinical effectiveness
• health care costs
• mHealth
• mobile apps
• remote monitoring
• vital signs