E-Health/m-Health Applications for Cardiac Patients Telemonitoring

Abstract

Mobile telemonitoring (m-TM) was evaluated for different types of cardiac arrhythmia in 73 patients, using BT3300 loop recorder with LRMA software pre-recorded at Android Smartphone, as well as for telemonitoring of 12 patients with arterial hypertension (AH) by Stabil − O − Graph device. e-Health telemonitoring application using Watch BP03 device was also assessed in 20 AH outpatients for evaluation of circadian rhythms. Arrhythmias were registered/monitored during 6-72h. Cases of sinus brady- and tachyarrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, supraventricular and ventricular premature complexes have been correctly recognized by LRMA software and recorded. In 8 patients (11%) the diagnosis was modified/clarified based on m-TM findings. Cost of m-TM was 2.7 times lower, than average expenditures at hospital cardiac wards (p<0.005). According to Quality of Experience survey results both patients and physicians assessed arrhythmia m-TM as highly satisfactory, convenient, acceptably priced and easy to use service. m-TM of AH patients was satisfactory, but not cost-efficient. e-Health monitoring in AH patients, in contrary to controls, revealed elevated blood pressure (BP) mainly at nighttime. Our study confirmed that m-Health represents feasible methodology to monitor cardiac arrhythmia cases, improving patients’ comfort of life, shortening their hospitalization periods and increasing their mobility with enhanced safety. m-TM of AH patients with home/office-based equipment represents limited advantage due to non-complexity of BP measurement and results readings, and - to high cost of equipment. However, night-time automatic measurements provide a useful tool of hypertension treatment adjustment to individual circadian rhythms.