Description
The Apple Watch (AW) irregular rhythm notification (IRN) feature uses photoplethysmography to identify prolonged episodes of irregular rhythm suggestive of atrial fibrillation (AF). IRN is FDA cleared for those with no previous history of AF, however, these devices are increasingly being used for AF management. The objective of the present study was to determine the accuracy of the IRN in subjects with a previous diagnosis of nonpermanent AF. In a population with known AF, the AW IRN had a low rate of false positive detections and high specificity. Sensitivity for detection by subject and by AF episode was lower. The current IRN algorithm appears accurate for AF screening as currently cleared, but increased sensitivity and wear times would be necessary for disease management.
Learning Objectives
- Determine the accuracy of the irregular rhythm notification with an Apple Watch in patients with a previous diagnosis of nonpermanent atrial fibrillation.
Article Authors and Podcast Contributors
Article Authors
Jeremiah Wasserlauf, MD, MS, Kelly Vogel, BS, Cailin Whisler, MPH, Emelia Benjamin, MD, ScM, Robert Helm, MD, Daniel A. Steinhaus, MD, Omair Yousuf, MD, Rod S. Passman MD, MSCE
Podcast Contributors
Deepthy Varghese, MSN, ACNP, FNP of Northside Hospital
Martha G. Ferrara, DNP, FNP, FHRS, CCDS, of White Plains Hospital
Dinesh Sharma, MD, MPH, FHRS, of Naples Heart Institute
Disclosure Policy
ACE Disclosure Policy
The Heart Rhythm Society is committed to the provision of Accredited Continuing Education (formerly known as Continuing Medical Education (CME)) that is balanced, objective, and evidence based. HRS adheres to the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) which require that those individuals in a position to control the content of an educational activity (including, but not limited to, planners, faculty, authors, committee members, content reviewers, editors, and staff) disclose all financial relationships with an ACCME-defined ineligible company* within the 24 months prior to the disclosure.
Any individual who refuses to disclose financial relationships is disqualified from participating in HRS ACE-certified activities. Owners and employees of ACCME-defined ineligible companies may have no role in the planning or implementation of ACE activities without a special written exemption from the HRS Chief Learning Officer that will be granted only in specific circumstances that meet ACCME requirements.
ACCME Definition:
*An ineligible company is one whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
Examples of such organizations include:
- Advertising, marketing, or communication firms whose clients are ineligible companies
- Bio-medical startups that have begun a governmental regulatory approval process
- Compounding pharmacies that manufacture proprietary compounds
- Device manufacturers or distributors
- Diagnostic labs that sell proprietary products
- Growers, distributors, manufacturers or sellers of medical foods and dietary supplements
- Manufacturers of health-related wearable products
- Pharmaceutical companies or distributors
- Pharmacy benefit managers
- Reagent manufacturers or sellers
All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.Host Disclosure(s):
D. Varghese: No relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.
Contributor Disclosure(s):
M. Ferrara: Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: Boston Scientific, Rhythm Management Group Corporation, Travel (Other Activities): Medtronic
D. Sharma: No relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.
Staff Disclosure(s) (note: HRS staff are NOT in control of educational content. Disclosures are provided solely for full transparency to the learner):
J. Glenn: No relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.
S. Sailor: No relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.