Six-lead device superior to single-lead smartwatch ECG in atrial fibrillation detection

• Published in: The American heart journal Vol. 253; pp. 53 - 58
• Main Authors: Scholten, Josca, Jansen, Ward P.J., Horsthuis, Thomas, Mahes, Anuska D., Winter, Michiel M., Zwinderman, Aeilko H., Keijer, Jan T., Minneboo, Madelon, de Groot, Joris R., Bokma, Jouke P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-11-2022; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Accuracy; Algorithms; Atrial Fibrillation - diagnosis; Cardiac arrhythmia; Cardiology; Classification; Comparative studies; EKG; Electric Countershock; Electrocardiography; Fibrillation; Heart rate; Humans; Population; Sensitivity; Sensitivity and Specificity; Smartwatches; Stroke; Wearable computers
• ISSN: 0002-8703; 1097-6744
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ahj.2022.06.010

This was a head-to-head comparative study on different electrocardiogram (ECG)-based smartwatches and devices for atrial fibrillation detection. We prospectively included 220 patients scheduled for electrical cardioversion and recorded ECGs with 3 different devices (Withings Move ECG, Apple Watch 5, Kardia Mobile 6-leads) as well as the standard 12-lead ECG (gold standard), both before and after cardioversion.
All atrial fibrillation detection algorithms had high accuracy (sensitivity and specificity: 91–99%) but were hampered by uninterpretable recordings (20–24%). In cardiologists’ interpretation, the 6-lead device was superior (sensitivity 99%, specificity 97%) to both single-lead smartwatches (P < .05) for atrial fibrillation detection.
Six-lead device superior to single-lead smartwatch ECG in atrial fibrillation detection 220 patients (age 70 ± 10 years, female 35%) scheduled for electrical cardioversion. [Display omitted]