PracticeUpdate Cardiology Best of 2018

CONFERENCE COVERAGE 20

ECG on an AppleWatch Detects Atrial Fibrillation Accurately By the PracticeUpdate Editorial Team

K ardia Band, a newly designed wristband and corresponding app that works with the Apple Watch, can display an electrocardiogram accu- rately and notify patients with atrial fibrillation of any abnormality. In one-third of cases, abnormal rhythm detected up by the wearable device was unclassified. When cou- pled with a physician’s review, however, the device was able to differentiate between atrial fibrillation and normal heart rhythm reliably. This outcome of a blinded, prospective study was reported at ACC 2018. Joseph Bumgarner, MD, of the Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, explained that atrial fibrillation affects 9% indi- viduals over age 65 years in the US. Helping patients identify an acute episode can improve treatment and outcomes. More versatile than a heart rate monitor, the Kardia Band Apple Watch wristband records a single-lead electrocardiographic tracing for 30 s, including heart rate and regularity. Patients can place a finger on the designated spot on the specifically designed wristband for 30 s at any time, and the smart- watch algorithm will tell the wearer instantaneously whether rhythm is normal, indicative of atrial fibrilla- tion, or undetermined.

According to Dr. Bumgarner, there are many healthcare devices available to patients without a prescription; however, we do not know whether these devices provide information to patients and their physicians that can be used effectively. He also noted that this study was the first to investigate the accuracy of a wearable smartwatch for the identi- fication of atrial fibrillation or normal sinus rhythm compared with a standard 12-lead electrocardio- gram, as is commonly used in the clinic. A total of 100 patients (68 ± 11 years of age) with atrial fibrillation who presented consecutively for a scheduled electrical cardioversion participated. Those with pacemakers or implanted defibrillators were excluded. Participants were given an Apple Watch equipped with the special wristband and coached on its use. They then underwent standard electrocardiography. " Kardia Band, paired with an app that provides an algorithm for detecting atrial fibrillation, attaches to the AppleWatch as an add-on accessory. The device was cleared by the FDA in November 2017 and is now available. "

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