Alessandro Magliozzi (Italy)
Author Of 1 Presentation
THE POTENTIAL VALUE OF NEW GENERATION SMARTPHONE ELECTROCARDIOGRAM FOR DETECTING ATRIAL FIBRILLATION AFTER AN ISCHEMIC STROKE
- Francesco Motolese (Italy)
Abstract
Background and Aims:
Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the western world. The term embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) indicates those nonlacunar strokes in which the most common causes have been excluded. It is thought that covert atrial fibrillation (AF) is the main etiology of ESUS. However, there are no definitive data about the actual prevalence of AF in ESUS.
Methods:
Fifty-four (n=54) patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) or mild ischemic stroke (NIHSS < 3) - in which no causes had been identified with the usual diagnostic work-up - were recruited. All patients received a new generation smartwatch capable of reliably detecting AF through a single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). Participants were instructed to use the ECG app to record at least 2 ECGs per day.
Results:
Patients’ median age was 68,5 year (IQR: 53,5-73). Thirty-three (61,1%) were female. Twenty-seven patients (50,9%) recorded the ECG twice a day as prescribed, forty-eight (88,9%) recorded the ECG at least once a day. Six patients (11,3%) had at least an episode of AF detected by the smartwatch app. One patient (1,9%) had a recurrent cerebrovascular event.
Conclusions:
New generation smartwatches offer the chance to augment the ability to detect covert AF and could represent a valid aid in the diagnostic work-up of ESUS. This pilot study demonstrated that available technologies could be readily implemented even with the current population’s technical and intellectual resources.