New ingenious necklace may detect abnormal heart rhythm disorders

The study enrolled 145 adults who used the necklace to measure their own heart rhythm. Participants simultaneously underwent a three-lead ECG recording as a 'gold standard' comparison.

Two cardiologists analysed all ECG readings without knowing the initial rhythm (i.e. they were blinded to the 3-lead ECG recordings and initial 12-lead ECG). Automated AI analysis of the necklace ECG was also performed.

The necklace produced ECG recordings with excellent quality to detect and diagnose atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation diagnoses made by standard ECG measurement were also picked up by the necklace device with high accuracy – both the automated AI analysis and interpretation of the ECG report by a cardiologist.

Mr. Santala said: "The necklace ECG is simple to use and allows repetitive self-monitoring of heart rhythm, thereby improving the likelihood of detecting atrial fibrillation. The ESC recommends screening for atrial fibrillation in people over 65 years of age and in those at high risk of stroke;1 automated analysis by the necklace ECG is well suited for this purpose. Diagnosis of atrial fibrillation should always be confirmed by a physician using the ECG report."

References and notes

1Kirchhof P, Benussi S, Kotecha D, et al. 2016 ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with EACTS. Eur Heart J. 2016;37:2893–2962. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehw210.