On-demand mobile health infrastructures to allow comprehensive remote atrial fibrillation and risk factor management through teleconsultation

Astrid N. L. Hermans, Rachel M. J. van der Velden, Monika Gawalko, Dominique V. M. Verhaert, Lien Desteghe, David Duncker, Martin Manninger, Hein Heidbuchel, Ron Pisters, Martin Hemels, Laurent Pison, Afzal Sohaib, Arian Sultan, Daniel Steven, Petra Wijtvliet, Robert Tieleman, Dhiraj Gupta, Dobromir Dobrev, Emma Svennberg, Harry J. G. M. CrijnsNikki A. H. A. Pluymaekers, Jeroen M. Hendriks, Dominik Linz*, TeleCheck-AF investigators

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal(Systematic) Review article peer-review

Abstract

Background Although novel teleconsultation solutions can deliver remote situations that are relatively similar to face-to-face interaction, remote assessment of heart rate and rhythm as well as risk factors remains challenging in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Hypothesis. Mobile health (mHealth) solutions can support remote AF management. Methods Herein, we discuss available mHealth tools and strategies on how to incorporate the remote assessment of heart rate, rhythm and risk factors to allow comprehensive AF management through teleconsultation. Results Particularly, in the light of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there is decreased capacity to see patients in the outpatient clinic and mHealth has become an important component of many AF outpatient clinics. Several validated mHealth solutions are available for remote heart rate and rhythm monitoring as well as for risk factor assessment. mHealth technologies can be used for (semi-)continuous longitudinal monitoring or for short-term on-demand monitoring, dependent on the respective requirements and clinical scenarios. As a possible solution to improve remote AF care through teleconsultation, we introduce the on-demand TeleCheck-AF mHealth approach that allows remote app-based assessment of heart rate and rhythm around teleconsultations, which has been developed and implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. Conclusion Large scale international mHealth projects, such as TeleCheck-AF, will provide insight into the additional value and potential limitations of mHealth strategies to remotely manage AF patients. Such mHealth infrastructures may be well suited within an integrated AF-clinic, which may require redesign of practice and reform of health care systems.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1232-1239
Number of pages8
JournalClinical Cardiology
Volume43
Issue number11
Early online date8 Oct 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2020

Keywords

  • AUSTRALIAN CLINICAL GUIDELINES
  • CARDIAC SOCIETY
  • CARE
  • DIAGNOSIS
  • NATIONAL HEART FOUNDATION
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • VARIABILITY
  • SLEEP-APNEA SEVERITY

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