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. 2015 Aug 21;10(8):e0136256.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136256. eCollection 2015.

SPEAR Trial: Smartphone Pediatric ElectrocARdiogram Trial

Hoang H Nguyen  1 , George F Van Hare  1 , Michael Rudokas  1 , Tammy Bowman  1 , Jennifer N A Silva  1
Affiliations

SPEAR Trial: Smartphone Pediatric ElectrocARdiogram Trial

Hoang H Nguyen et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Objectives: Smartphone-enabled ECG devices have the potential to improve patient care by enabling remote ECG assessment of patients with potential and diagnosed arrhythmias. This prospective study aimed to assess the usefulness of pediatric ECG tracings generated by the AliveCor device (Oklahoma City, OK) and to assess user satisfaction.

Study design: Enrolled pediatric patients with documented paroxysmal arrhythmia used the AliveCor device over a yearlong study period. Pediatric electrophysiologists reviewed all transmitted ECG tracings. Patient completed surveys were analyzed to assess user satisfaction.

Results: 35 patients were enrolled with the following diagnoses: supraventricular tachycardia (SVT, 57%), atrial fibrillation (AF, 11%), ectopic atrial tachycardia (EAT, 6%), atrial tachycardia (AT, 3%), and ventricular tachycardia (VT, 23%). A total of 238 tracings were received from 20 patients, 96% of which were of diagnostic quality for sinus rhythm, sinus tachycardia, SVT, and AF. 126 patient satisfaction surveys (64% from parents) were completed. 98% of the survey responses indicated that it was easy to obtain tracings, 93% found it easy to transmit the tracings, 98% showed added comfort in managing arrhythmia by having the device, and 93% showed interest in continued use of the device after the study period ended.

Conclusions: Smartphone-enabled ECG devices can generate tracings of diagnostic quality in children. User satisfaction was extremely positive. Use of the device to manage certain patients with AF and SVT showcases the future role of remote ECGs in the successful outpatient management of arrhythmias in children by potentially reducing Emergency Department visits and healthcare costs.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: AliveCor provided the devices for this study. This does not alter the authors' adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and material.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Samples of transmitted ECG tracings.
A) Atrial fibrillation. B) Supraventricular tachycardia.
Fig 2
Fig 2. User satisfaction survey results.
Comparison of different user satisfaction categories between those who transmitted and those who did not transmit.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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