PORTABLE SINGLE-LEAD EKG KARDIA MOBILE DEVICE IS ACCURATE FOR QTc
EVALUATION OF HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS WITH SUSPECTED OF SARS-CoV-2
INFECTION (COVID-19)
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 infection, along with various drugs
administered for its treatment may prolong ventricular repolarization
and QT interval, increasing the risk of potentially fatal arrhythmias.
Electrocardiogram (ECG) tracing with conventional devices increases
health worker exposure to COVID-19. METHODS: In sequential tests,
corrected QT interval (QTc) of electrocardiographic tracing obtained
with AliveCor® single-lead (DI) Kardia Mobile (KM) was compared to QTc
obtained with a 12-lead ECG. Authors evaluated numeric precision
(proportion of measurements with a difference <10 msec), and
consistency between the two devices in determining QTc prolongation (QTc
≥470 ms in male, or ≥480 ms in female), with kappa statistics. RESULTS:
Records of 128 hospitalized patients with a suspected or confirmed
COVID-19 diagnosis in the Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá
D.C. (Colombia) were included. The QTc interval measured with KM was
similar to the interval measured with conventional ECG (442.5 ± 40.5 vs.
442.4 ± 40.2 ms, p: 0.986). Numeric precision was 93%. Concordance
between the two devices for determining QTc prolongation was excellent,
both in females (kappa: 0.901) and males (kappa: 0.896). CONCLUSION:
Single-lead electrocardiographic tracing obtained with the AliveCor®
Kardia Mobile allows accurate QTc interval assessment. Since KM use is
fast and practical, it is ideal for reducing the exposure time of
healthcare workers in the COVID-19 pandemic. The KM is capable of
detecting prolonged QTc during treatment in COVID-19 patients. KEY
WORDS: Kardia Mobile; AliveCor; corrected QT; QT interval; smart phone,
ventricular arrhythmias, COVID-19.