The Lead Episode 13: A Discussion of Accuracy of the Apple Watch for Detection of AF: A Multicenter Experience-Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology

Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology

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A study conducted by Jeremiah Wasserlauf and colleagues evaluated the accuracy of the Apple Watch irregular rhythm notification (IRN) feature for detecting atrial fibrillation (AF) in individuals with a previous diagnosis of nonpermanent AF. The study included 30 participants with a history of nonpermanent AF who were fitted with an Apple Watch Series 5 for 6 months. AF episodes detected by the Apple Watch IRN were compared to episodes detected by an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) or cardiac implanted electronic device (CIED). The primary endpoints of the study were sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the IRN for AF detection. <br /><br />The results showed that the IRN had a low rate of false positive detections and high specificity for detecting AF in individuals with known AF. The sensitivity for detection of AF, both by subject and by AF episode, was lower. The study also found that the current IRN algorithm appears accurate for AF screening, but increased sensitivity and wear times may be necessary for disease management. <br /><br />These findings suggest that the Apple Watch IRN feature can be a useful tool for detecting AF in individuals without a previous history of the condition. However, further improvements are needed to enhance the sensitivity of the device for detecting AF in individuals with an existing history of the condition.

Keywords

Apple Watch

irregular rhythm notification

atrial fibrillation

nonpermanent AF

insertable cardiac monitor

specificity

positive predictive value

negative predictive value

AF detection

sensitivity