P1461Assessment of remote heart rhythm and arterial blood pressure sampling in professional drivers of public transport

Abstract

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) and arterial hypertension are two main causes of stroke. Therefore, screening for these diseases is essential in population and especially in people which professions is related to public safety. Purpose The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of newly cases of AF and hypertension in professional drivers of public transport working in Moscow. Methods From August to September 2018 480 professional drivers of public transport were enrolled in the study. All of them were screened with CardioQVARK monitor attached to iPhone to obtain 1-channel ECGs and photoplethysmograms. Blood pressure was calculated by using waveform and spectral analysis of photoplethysmograms. All ECGs were analyzed automatically and checked by experienced cardiologist. Outpatient counseling was provided to drivers with detected atrial fibrillation or hypertension. During this visit ECG and blood pressure were measured to confirm the remote monitoring results. Results Among 480 professional drivers 97,9% (n=470) were male and 2,1% (n=10) female, mean age was 47 years (min – 20, max – 67). 44,6% (n=214) were active smokers and 29,8% (n=143) were obese. We diagnosed 5 new cases of atrial fibrillation (1%) and 187 (39%) new cases of hypertension. Patients with newly diagnosed AF were male, three of them had newly diagnosed hypertension and CHA2DS2-VASc score – 1. So, in three cases oral anticoagulants therapy was started. The prevalence of hypertension in patients with newly AF was higher (p<0,0001). In patients with newly diagnosed hypertension 29,2% (n=140) were in grade 1, 8,3% (n=40) – in grade 2 and 1,5% (n=7) – in grade 3 respectively. These patients were significantly older (p<0,0001) and obese (p<0,0001). Antihypertensive therapy was started in all cases. Conclusion Although the professional drivers of public transport in Moscow had annually and every day medical check-up, it had been possible to evaluate new cases of AF and hypertension by using remote heart rate and photoplethysmogram monitoring. Remote monitoring of ECG and blood pressure (BP) is useful tool for screening AF and hypertension especially in people which work activities is concerned with public safety. The remote monitoring of ECG and BP in this category had great social and economic outcomes.