PULSE-SMART: Pulse-Based Arrhythmia Discrimination Using a Novel Smartphone Application

Overview

Journal J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol

Specialties Cardiology & Vascular Diseases
Physiology

Date 2015 Sep 23

PMID 26391728

Citations 56

Authors

David D McManus

Jo Woon Chong

Apurv Soni

Jane S Saczynski

Nada Esa

Craig Napolitano

Chad E Darling

Edward Boyer

Rochelle K Rosen

Kevin C Floyd

Ki H Chon

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common and dangerous rhythm abnormality. Smartphones are increasingly used for mobile health applications by older patients at risk for AF and may be useful for AF screening.

Objectives: To test whether an enhanced smartphone app for AF detection can discriminate between sinus rhythm (SR), AF, premature atrial contractions (PACs), and premature ventricular contractions (PVCs).

Methods: We analyzed two hundred and nineteen 2-minute pulse recordings from 121 participants with AF (n = 98), PACs (n = 15), or PVCs (n = 15) using an iPhone 4S. We obtained pulsatile time series recordings in 91 participants after successful cardioversion to sinus rhythm from preexisting AF. The PULSE-SMART app conducted pulse analysis using 3 methods (Root Mean Square of Successive RR Differences; Shannon Entropy; Poincare plot). We examined the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive accuracy of the app for AF, PAC, and PVC discrimination from sinus rhythm using the 12-lead EKG or 3-lead telemetry as the gold standard. We also administered a brief usability questionnaire to a subgroup (n = 65) of app users.

Results: The smartphone-based app demonstrated excellent sensitivity (0.970), specificity (0.935), and accuracy (0.951) for real-time identification of an irregular pulse during AF. The app also showed good accuracy for PAC (0.955) and PVC discrimination (0.960). The vast majority of surveyed app users (83%) reported that it was "useful" and "not complex" to use.

Conclusion: A smartphone app can accurately discriminate pulse recordings during AF from sinus rhythm, PACs, and PVCs.

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