The size and methods of this Apple Watch study are groundbreaking, but it raises more questions than it answers.
The Apple Watch has an optical sensor that can detect heart rates, thus introducing the possibility of detecting atrial fibrillation (AF). The industry-sponsored, prospective, open-label, siteless, pragmatic Apple Heart Study tested an algorithm to identify AF (NCT03335800). The 419,297 adult U.S. participants enrolled via an app, owned Apple Watches and iPhones, and had no prior AF.
During the study, 2161 people were notified of an irregular pulse, of whom 79% were excluded for various reasons, including 1216 who failed to attend a telemedicine visit. The researchers urgently contacted 20 people: 18 with AF and a rate >200 beats/minute, 1 with a pause >6 seconds, and 1 with nonsustained ventricular tachycardia >6 seconds.
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DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardUnited Healthcare; Element Science; Eyedentifeye, F-Prime
EquityHugo Health; Refactor Health; Element Science
Grant/Research SupportPfizer; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Janssen Research and Development, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Engineering; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Cancer Institute; American Heart Association
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardUnited Healthcare; Element Science; Eyedentifeye, F-Prime
EquityHugo Health; Refactor Health; Element Science
Grant/Research SupportPfizer; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Janssen Research and Development, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Engineering; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Cancer Institute; American Heart Association