From Wrist to Precision: Enhanced Atrial Flutter Detection with Modified Smartwatch Single-Lead Electrocardiogram Placement.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Smartwatches, such as the Apple Watch (AW), are well-established tools for detecting atrial fibrillation (AF). We hypothesize that atrial flutter (AFL) is frequently misdiagnosed using traditional single-lead electrocardiogram configurations and that modified device positioning could substantially improve diagnostic accuracy.

Methods

Standard smartwatch lead-I (AW-I) recordings were obtained from 75 patients, including 25 with AFL, 25 with AF, and 25 with sinus rhythm. Additionally, modified lead-II (AW-II) recordings were collected for all AFL cases, resulting in a total of 100 tracings. Twenty blinded physicians from 4 different specialties independently analyzed all recordings.

Results

Physicians' ability to detect AFL using the AW-I lead was poor, with

SUBMITTER: Avidan Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12457205 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature