title: SPEAR Trial: Smartphone Pediatric ElectrocARdiogram Trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Smartphone-enabled ECG devices have the potential to improve patient care by enabling remote ECG assessment of patients with potential and diagnosed arrhythmias. This prospective study aimed to assess the usefulness of pediatric ECG tracings generated by the AliveCor device (Oklahoma City, OK) and to assess user satisfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Enrolled pediatric patients with documented paroxysmal arrhythmia used the AliveCor device over a yearlong study period. Pediatric electrophysiologists reviewed all transmitted ECG tracings. Patient completed surveys were analyzed to assess user satisfaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  35 patients were enrolled with the following diagnoses: supraventricular tachycardia (SVT, 57%), atrial fibrillation (AF, 11%), ectopic atrial tachycardia (EAT, 6%), atrial tachycardia (AT, 3%), and ventricular tachycardia (VT, 23%). A total of 238 tracings were received from 20 patients, 96% of which were of diagnostic quality for sinus rhythm, sinus tachycardia, SVT, and AF. 126 patient satisfaction surveys (64% from parents) were completed. 98% of the survey responses indicated that it was easy to obtain tracings, 93% found it easy to transmit the tracings, 98% showed added comfort in managing arrhythmia by having the device, and 93% showed interest in continued use of the device after the study period ended.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Smartphone-enabled ECG devices can generate tracings of diagnostic quality in children. User satisfaction was extremely positive. Use of the device to manage certain patients with AF and SVT showcases the future role of remote ECGs in the successful outpatient management of arrhythmias in children by potentially reducing Emergency Department visits and healthcare costs.
authors: Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics/Division of Cardiology, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America.
authors: Hoang H
authors: HH
authors: Nguyen
authors: Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics/Division of Cardiology, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America.
authors: George F
authors: GF
authors: Van Hare
authors: Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics/Division of Cardiology, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Rudokas
authors: Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics/Division of Cardiology, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America.
authors: Tammy
authors: T
authors: Bowman
authors: Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics/Division of Cardiology, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America.
authors: Jennifer N A
authors: JN
authors: Silva
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000068997:Smartphone; D013612:Tachycardia, Ectopic Atrial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods