Usefulness of Smartwatches in Electrophysiology:
Thanks to the real-time heart rate sensors and the ability to perform a single-lead electrocardiogram, it is possible to analyze heart rhythm, particularly for the early and rapid diagnosis of arrhythmias. This capability enables the implementation of appropriate therapeutic interventions.
What about smartwatches?
Before the advent of smartwatches, monitoring heart rate typically occurred during sporting activities. Today, we observe a democratization of the use of smartwatches as medical monitoring devices in electrophysiology (the field responsible for cardiac rhythm disorders).
In practice:
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In asymptomatic patients,
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For example, in patients with suspected arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation, which has a high prevalence (affecting up to 1 in 4 adults over the age of 40) and is notably associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke or heart failure.
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Sensors detecting irregularities in heart rhythm can alert the patient to the need for an electrocardiogram from their smartwatch.
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Early diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, made possible by an electrocardiogram recorded from the smartwatch, would enable prompt initiation of appropriate treatment and thereby limit the risk of complications associated with this arrhythmia.
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In symptomatic patients
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For example, in patients experiencing recurrent palpitations,
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Documenting palpitation episodes with an electrocardiogram recorded from a smartwatch allows for tailored therapeutic management.
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In this electrocardiogram recorded by a patient at home using their smartwatch during one of their recurrent palpitation episodes, we can observe a very rapid supraventricular tachycardia at 190 bpm. The patient underwent curative treatment during a minimally invasive intervention for their "Bouveret" type arrhythmia (intra-nodal re-entry).
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