Self-applied chest patch monitors irregular heartbeat in AFib patients

A chest patch that records heartbeat patterns could potentially be a better detector of atrial fibrillation (AFib) and subsequently can expedite more timely treatment than traditional treatment, according to new research presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 67th Annual Scientific Session.

"At one year, people who wore the chest monitor had nearly three times the likelihood of being diagnosed with AFib, and appropriately, said lead author and presenter Steven R. Steinhubl, MD, Scripps Translational Science Institute in La Jolla, California and colleagues. “A significantly higher proportion of these patients were started on anticoagulant therapy to lower their stroke risk compared with those who received usual care. The data also provide a first glimpse into how this type of electrocardiogram (ECG) screening might influence heart care utilization."

Researchers noted the study, mHealth Screening to Prevent Strokes (mSToPS) trial, is one of the first studies to be completely digital, nationwide, direct-to-participant and site-less clinical research programs.

Monitoring of patients’ heartbeats was completed using the Band-Aid-sized chest patch iRhythm Zio patch, which continuously recorded an ECG for 14 consecutive days.

The mSToPS trial enrolled more than 1,700 patients with no heart rhythm issues but had moderate risk for AFib. The study group was matched with a control group consisting of more than 3,600 patients of similar age, gender and risk. The study cohort wore the patch for an average of 12 days. Researchers sought to examine the incidences of AFib at one year.

Among notable findings:

• AFib was newly diagnosed in approximately six percent of the study group but only two percent in the control group.
• Those wearing the patch had almost 79 percent visits to their primary care physician, while the control group had only 75 percent.
• Cardiology outpatient visits were almost 32 percent in the study group and almost 24 percent in the control group.
• There was no difference recorded in emergency department visits or hospitalizations.

Active monitoring with the patch was associated with greater initiation of anticoagulation, increases in antiarrhythmic therapy and greater placement of pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

Researchers were not able to show if the patch had an impact on clinical outcomes, including blood clots or stroke; however, the study subjects will be tracked for an additional two years to study any effect on clinical outcomes.