Systems and methods for improved atrial fibrillation (AF) monitoring

摘要

Methods and systems described herein are especially useful wherein monitoring for atrial fibrillation (AF) is based on RR interval variability as measured from an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal. An activity threshold, which can be patient specific, is obtained. Patient activity is monitored. Based on the monitored patient activity and the activity threshold, there is a determination of when it is likely that AF monitoring based on RR interval variability is adversely affected by patient activity. When it has been determined that it is likely that AF monitoring based on RR interval variability is adversely affected by patient activity, whether and/or how AF monitoring is performed is modified.

主权项

1. A method for use with a system that monitors for atrial fibrillation (AF) based on RR interval variability as measured from an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal, the method comprising:
(a) obtaining a patient specific activity threshold; (b1) monitoring patient activity with an activity sensor not based on a cardiac electrical signal; (b2) monitoring for AF based on RR interval variability in said ECG signal; (c) determining, based on the monitored patient activity and the patient specific activity threshold, when it is likely that AF monitoring based on RR interval variability is adversely affected by patient activity, wherein step (c) includes:
(c.1) determining activity correlation values based on both the monitored patient activity and heart rate reserve values corresponding to the monitored patient activity; and(c.2) determining that it is likely that AF monitoring based on RR interval variability is adversely affected, when the activity correlation values exceed the patient specific activity threshold; and (d) modifying whether and/or how AF monitoring is performed, when it has been determined that it is likely that AF monitoring based on RR interval variability is adversely affected by patient activity.