Initial experience with a virtual atrial fibrillation clinic after pulmonary vein isolation using follow-up with photoplethysmography.

Background: To detect recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), different methods can be used, ranging from incidental electrocardiograms (ECGs) to rhythm monitoring with implantable loop recorders. We investigated whether telemonitoring (TM) with photoplethysmography (PPG) is feasible for post-PVI follow-up.

Methods: In total, 157 pre-PVI patients were included. Of them, 78 underwent TM at a virtual AF clinic, for which they received a PPG application and were monitored by trained eNurses. The numbers of hospital contacts, hospital visits, ECGs and Holter recordings were assessed. Patient satisfaction and quality of life were analysed. Comparisons were made with a historical control group with a traditional follow-up of outpatient visits, ECGs and Holter recordings (n = 79).

Results: Mean ± standard deviation (SD) age was 63 ± 10 years, and 64% were male. AF was paroxysmal in 68% of the patients. Follow-up at 1 year was completed in all patients. In the TM group, the mean ± SD annual number of recordings per patient was 16 ± 29, and AF was detected in 37 patients (47%). The TM group experienced significant decreases in the numbers of unplanned outpatient clinic visits and AF-related hospital admissions, as well as reductions in the numbers of ECGs and Holter recordings performed. Patients reported high satisfaction with this form of TM.

Conclusion: The use of a virtual AF clinic was feasible, and satisfaction was high. Compared with patients with a traditional follow-up, patients on PPG-based TM needed fewer hospital visits and admissions and underwent fewer ECGs and Holter recordings.