The SmartECG algorithm reduced the remote ECG review workload by 42.8%, decreasing the number of sECGs per patient-year from 147 to 84, with only a 2.6% loss in true arrhythmia detection sensitivity.
Observational (n=368)
Yes
Does the SmartECG algorithm reduce remote ECG review workload and preserve arrhythmia detection sensitivity in patients with implantable cardiac monitors?
The SmartECG algorithm significantly reduces the clinical workload of reviewing remotely transmitted ICM data by filtering out false detections, with a minimal 2.6% loss in true arrhythmia detection sensitivity.
Effect estimate: 42.8% reduction
Absolute Event Rate: 84% vs 147%
Introduction: Implantable cardiac monitors (ICMs) provide long-term arrhythmia monitoring, but high rates of false detections increase the review burden. The new "SmartECG" algorithm filters false detections. Using large real-world data sets, we aimed to quantify the reduction in workload and any loss in sensitivity from this new algorithm. Methods: Patients with a BioMonitor IIIm and any device indication were included from three clinical projects. All subcutaneous ECGs (sECGs) transmitted via remote monitoring were classified by the algorithm as "true" or "false." We quantified the relative reduction in workload assuming "false" sECGs were ignored. The remote monitoring workload from five hospitals with established remote monitoring routines was evaluated. Loss in sensitivity was estimated by testing a sample of 2000 sECGs against a clinical board of three physicians. Results: Of our population of 368 patients, 42% had an indication for syncope or pre-syncope and 31% for cryptogenic stroke. Within 418.5 patient-years of follow-up, 143,096 remote monitoring transmissions contained 61,517 sECGs. SmartECG filtered 42.8% of all sECGs as "false," reducing the number per patient-year from 147 to 84. In five hospitals, nine trained reviewers inspected on average 105 sECGs per working hour. This results in an annual working time per patient of 83 min without SmartECG, and 48 min with SmartECG. The loss of sensitivity is estimated as 2.6%. In the majority of cases where true arrhythmias were rejected, SmartECG classified the same type of arrhythmia as "true" before or within 3 days of the falsely rejected sECG. Conclusion: SmartECG increases efficiency in long-term arrhythmia monitoring using ICMs. The reduction of workload by SmartECG is meaningful and the risk of missing a relevant arrhythmia due to incorrect filtering by the algorithm is limited.
Bisignani et al. (Tue,) conducted a observational in Patients with an implantable cardiac monitor indication (syncope, cryptogenic stroke, atrial fibrillation, palpitations) (n=368). SmartECG algorithm vs. Standard review without SmartECG was evaluated on Number of subcutaneous ECGs (sECGs) requiring review per patient-year (42.8% reduction). The SmartECG algorithm reduced the remote ECG review workload by 42.8%, decreasing the number of sECGs per patient-year from 147 to 84, with only a 2.6% loss in true arrhythmia detection sensitivity.