Netherlands · Monitoring · 2024 Cutting unnecessary cardioversions at Maastricht UMC+
Maastricht UMC+ Maastricht UMC+ used FibriCheck to monitor patients with presumed persistent AF scheduled for electrical cardioversion, catching self-terminating episodes before the procedure.
Objective
To reduce unnecessary electrical cardioversion procedures in patients with presumed persistent atrial fibrillation.
Approach
Maastricht University Medical Centre+ applied FibriCheck’s PPG technology to monitor patients scheduled for electrical cardioversion. A case coordinator explained the app to patients and followed up on its use; patients measured their heart rhythm three times a day, and additionally whenever symptoms arose.
Outcome
Monitoring in the period leading up to the procedure surfaced cases of paroxysmal or self-terminating atrial fibrillation. Where FibriCheck confirmed sinus rhythm, the scheduled cardioversion was cancelled and rhythm-control medication amended per the physician’s instructions. Patients whose results still showed persistent AF kept their appointment. As a result, 13.7% of cardioversion procedures were deemed unnecessary and cancelled, saving time and cost for patients and providers. All patients continued monitoring for four weeks after the appointment.