Accuracy of Mobile Health Screeners for Atrial Fibrillation

Mobile health (mHealth) devices and apps are proliferating, and studies that test them are now appearing. In one such study, investigators evaluated two devices, the AliveCor Health Monitor and the non–FDA-approved Microlife WatchBP Office AFIB, for their ability to detect atrial fibrillation in primary care.

Screening was conducted in 2502 people with both devices, used sequentially. When a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation was made with either device, then researchers obtained a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG).

Two cardiologists diagnosed atrial fibrillation in 24 people by their ECG tracings. AliveCor correctly identified atrial fibrillation in 16 of the 24 people. In addition, it produced 11 false positives. The Microlife device identified…