Does a Smartphone-Based ECG Recording System in Pediatric Patients With Palpitations Improve Diagnostic Yield?

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Medical Device Technology
• Diagnostic Tools

Background:

• Pediatric palpitations are common, necessitating symptom-rhythm correlation for diagnosis.
• Obtaining diagnostic ECGs in children can be challenging.
• The AliveCor KardiaMobile, a smartphone ECG recorder, has limited pediatric data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the diagnostic yield and usability of a smartphone ECG monitor versus a conventional event recorder in children with palpitations.
• To assess patient and family perceptions of using each device type.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, randomized study involving 100 children with palpitations requiring event recorders.
• Participants were randomized to either a smartphone (KardiaMobile) or conventional (Cardiocall) recorder.
• Outcomes included diagnostic tracing achievement, tracing quality, time to diagnosis, and user-reported perceptions.

Main Results:

• Diagnostic tracings were achieved in 51% of the smartphone group versus 44% of the conventional group (p=0.525).
• Participants using the smartphone monitor were more likely to transmit recordings (70% vs. 49%, p=0.037) and expressed greater willingness for repeat use (87% vs. 42%, p=0.015).
• No significant differences were found in ease of recording, transmission, or overall satisfaction between the groups.

Conclusions:

• Smartphone-based ECG monitors demonstrate comparable diagnostic efficacy to conventional recorders in pediatric populations.
• The smartphone device offers improved user engagement and willingness for future use among families.
• This technology presents a viable alternative for pediatric arrhythmia monitoring.