Abstract 16707: Clinical Validation of a Chest-Worn Personal ECG Device for the Detection of Atrial Fibrillation

Introduction: Novel consumer-focused personal ECG devices have the potential to revolutionise the way that cardiac arrhythmias are diagnosed and managed. These devices can be used remotely to monitor patients for arrhythmias, which could lead to earlier detection and treatment. In this study, we aimed to compare the cardiologist's interpretation of clinical 12-lead ECG recordings to a consumer-focused dry-electrode ECG chest strap device (Fourth Frontier FX+).

Methods: We included patients seen in an outpatient cardiology clinic at the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Science and Research, Bangalore, India. A total of 163 paired ECG recordings were captured from 85 adult patients (50% female, median age 54 years, AF present at the time of recording in 38%). Patients with critical cardiac problems or life support systems were excluded. ECG data from the Fourth Frontier FX+ (Fourth Frontier, Bangalore, India) and a standard 12-lead ECG were obtained simultaneously in the supine position. PDF reports for both devices were then generated, and the cardiologist's interpretation of the Fourth Frontier FX+ ECG was compared to the cardiologist's interpreted 12L ECG.

Results: The cardiologist's interpretation of the Fourth Frontier FX+ data matched the cardiologist-interpreted 12L data for all patients. One FX+ ECG was excluded from the analysis due to not enough data being captured by the device. A total of 33 patients were correctly identified as having atrial fibrillation.

Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that the Fourth Frontier FX+ ECG monitor is comparable to a 12-lead ECG for cardiac rhythm monitoring and that it can be used remotely to monitor patients for cardiac arrhythmias. This has the potential to change the way that arrhythmias are diagnosed and managed and lead to earlier detection and treatment at scale.