Remote Monitoring in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease: A Patient Experience Study

Surveillance for long-term complications in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) presently relies on outpatient visits. Self-monitoring is increasingly being utilised to reduce the burden of care. This study explores the experiences of ACHD patients undertaking self-monitoring using wearable technology. A prospective observational cohort study was undertaken with ACHD patients across the United Kingdom. A CardiacSense watch recording vital signs and user-initiated electrocardiograms (ECGs) was sent to participants via post. Watch activity was monitored, and participants completed a postmonitoring questionnaire. Fifty-three individuals were screened. Thirty-three eligible participants were sent watches, and 24 (75% female, median age 44.5 years) completed the study. Participants wore watches for 12.3 days (range 1.6-29.8). Younger age was associated with shorter duration of watch-wearing (R = 0.413, P = .05), and men tended to record more ECGs than women (P = .009). Factors affecting engagement included comfort, digital literacy, and reported levels of anxiety and depression. ACHD engaged well with self-monitoring. Several factors, such as age, comorbidities, and digital literacy, influenced patient participation. Recommendations, grounded in patient experience, are suggested to ensure optimal adoption of self-monitoring in this population.