Detection of Atrial Fibrillation Through Voice Signal Processing
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Sauti.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Atrial Fibrillation (AF), Atrial Flutter. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
Overview
This study is testing a new technology that listens to a person's voice during short phone calls to help identify heart rhythm problems. The goal is to see if voice signal analysis can tell the difference between a normal rhythm (sinus rhythm) and an irregular rhythm (atrial fibrillation). We are enrolling adults scheduled for a standard heart procedure called cardioversion, which is used to reset the heart to a normal rhythm. Each participant will provide voice recordings through three short phone calls: before cardioversion, just after the procedure, and at a follow-up visit. Results will be compared with standard heart rhythm tests (electrocardiograms or ECGs). This research may lead to a simple, low-cost way to monitor heart rhythms remotely without requiring special devices.
Detailed description
This is a prospective, single-center cohort study of 40 patients undergoing cardioversion for atrial fibrillation at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation. The study is designed to evaluate whether Vital Audio's investigational vocal biomarker software can reliably distinguish between regular (sinus) and irregular (atrial fibrillation) heart rhythms.
Participants will serve as their own controls. They will complete three structured voice recordings: pre-cardioversion, immediately after cardioversion, and at a follow-up visit (1 week to 1 month later). At each time point, ECG data will be collected as the reference standard. Voice samples will be captured through automated phone calls initiated via the Vital Audio platform, with each call lasting about one minute.
The software analyzes short vowel sounds in real time to extract heart rate, heart rate variability, and rhythm classification (regular vs. irregular). Data are stored securely, and results are available only to study staff. Patients and their providers will not receive study results directly.
The study is minimal risk, with no cost to participants. Compensation is provided for participation. While individuals may not personally benefit, the study aims to generate feasibility data on voice-based heart rhythm monitoring, potentially reducing reliance on costly consumer devices or frequent clinic visits. Findings will support future large-scale trials and may contribute to improved remote monitoring strategies for atrial fibrillation.
Interventions
- Device Sauti
Investigational, software-only device that acquires short voice samples during automated phone calls and analyzes cardiopulmonary signals to estimate heart rate (HR), heart-rate variability (HRV), and rhythm status (regular vs irregular). In this study, three calls are initiated via the Vital Audio web platform (pre-, post-cardioversion, and 1-month follow-up). Results are available only to study staff and are compared with ECG obtained at the same time points. The device is used for data collec
Primary outcome measures
- Accuracy of voice-based rhythm classification vs ECG [Time frame: Pre-cardioversion (same day), post-cardioversion before discharge (same day), and follow-up at 1 week-1 month post-procedure; overall up to 1 month after cardioversion]
- Accuracy of voice-based rhythm classification vs ECG [Time frame: Pre-cardioversion (same day), post-cardioversion before discharge (same day), and follow-up at 1 week-1 month post-procedure; overall up to 1 month after cardioversion]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
To participate in this study, patients must meet all of the following inclusion criteria:
- Diagnosis of atrial fibrillation and presenting for cardioversion at Allina Health in atrial fibrillation
- 3\. ≥ 18 years of age Written informed consent obtained from patient in English
Exclusion criteria
Patients who meet any of the following criteria must be excluded from this study:
- History of a pacemaker
- History of dysphasia or difficulty with word finding
- History of vocal cord dysfunction
- Patient with atrial flutter as presenting arrhythmia
- Planned transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) with cardioversion
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
Study locations
Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07212816 · Sonometrik-AFIB-01