Abstract
Background:QTc prolongation is an adverse effect of COVID-19 therapies. The use of a handheld device in this scenario has not been addressed.Objectives:To evaluate the feasibility of QTc monitoring with a smart device in COVID-19 patients receiving QTc-interfering therapies.Methods:Prospective study of consecutive COVID-19 patients treated with hydroxychloroquine ± azithromycin ± lopinavir-ritonavir. ECG monitoring was performed with 12-lead ECG or with KardiaMobile-6L. Both registries were also sequentially obtained in a cohort of healthy patients. We evaluated differences in QTc in COVID-19 patients between three different monitoring strategies: 12-lead ECG at baseline and follow-up (A), 12-lead ECG at baseline and follow-up with the smart device (B), and fully monitored with handheld 6-lead ECG (group C). Time needed to obtain an ECG registry was also documented.Results:One hundred and eighty-two COVID-19 patients were included (A: 119(65.4%); B: 50(27.5%); C: 13(7.1%). QTc peak during hospitalization did significantly increase in all groups. No differences were observed between the three monitoring strategies in QTc prolongation (p = 0.864). In the control group, all but one ECG registry with the smart device allowed QTc measurement and mean QTc did not differ between both techniques (p = 0.612), displaying a moderate reliability (ICC 0.56 [0.19–0.76]). Time of ECG registry was significantly longer for the 12-lead ECG than for handheld device in both cohorts (p < 0.001).Conclusion:QTc monitoring with KardiaMobile-6L in COVID-19 patients was feasible. Time of ECG registration was significantly lower with the smart device, which may offer an important advantage for prevention of virus dissemination among healthcare providers.
Highlights
To date, several therapies have been empirically used to treat Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
1) current COVID-19 therapies were significantly associated with a QTc prolongation regardless of the type of ECG monitoring; 2) the use of a handheld 6-lead ECG device significantly reduced the time of ECG registry for healthcare providers when compared to traditional 12-lead ECG; this time reduction was higher in the COVID-19 cohort compared to healthy volunteers; 3) 6-lead smart device showed diagnostic feasibility for QTc measurement similar to conventional 12-lead ECG, with a moderate reliability
QTc monitoring with KardiaMobile-6L was feasible in non-severely ill conscious patients with COVID-19 receiving QTc interfering drugs
Summary
Several therapies have been empirically used to treat Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In order to prevent virus dissemination, the use of smart mobile handheld ECG devices for QTc monitoring has emerged as an appealing alternative. With this purpose, AliveCor (AliveCor, San Francisco, CA, USA) has recently received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the use of KardiaMobile-6L device to monitor the ECG in. Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of QTc monitoring with a smart device in COVID-19 patients receiving QTc-interfering therapies. ECG monitoring was performed with 12-lead ECG or with KardiaMobile-6L Both registries were sequentially obtained in a cohort of healthy patients. Time of ECG registry was significantly longer for the 12-lead ECG than for handheld device in both cohorts (p < 0.001). Time of ECG registration was significantly lower with the smart device, which may offer an important advantage for prevention of virus dissemination among healthcare providers
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
