Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39886315›Full record

ArticleJACC. Advances2025

Diagnostic Accuracy of Apple Watch Electrocardiogram for Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Sufyan Shahid, Minahil Iqbal, Humza Saeed, Sara Hira, Amna Batool, Salman Khalid, Naeem Khan Tahirkheli

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in JACC. Advances, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 24 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
24citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

24 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Sufyan ShahidDepartment of Cardiology, Khawaja Muhammad Safdar Medical College, Sialkot, Pakistan.
Minahil IqbalDepartment of Cardiology, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan. Electronic address: minahil.iqbal131@gmail.com.
Humza SaeedDepartment of Cardiology, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Sara HiraDepartment of Cardiology, Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan.
Amna BatoolDepartment of Cardiology, Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan.
Salman KhalidDepartment of Cardiology, Oklahoma Heart Hospital, Oklahoma, USA.
Naeem Khan TahirkheliDepartment of Cardiology, Oklahoma Heart Hospital, Oklahoma, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Electrocardiography (ECG) is the gold standard for the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF). Recently, smartwatches like the Apple Watch have emerged as a promising, user-friendly device for rapid detection and diagnosis of AF, but the reliability and diagnostic accuracy still remain controversial. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review and diagnostic test accuracy meta-analysis evaluating the diagnostic performance of the Apple Watch ECG in detecting AF. Methods: The literature search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library through April 2024 for studies comparing the diagnostic accuracy of Apple Watch to standard 12-lead ECG. Statistical analysis was performed using R Software version 4.4.0 and OpenMeta[Analyst]. Pooled analyses of sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were determined along with their 95% CIs. The quality of studies was analyzed using the QUADAS-2 tool. Results: The meta-analysis included 11 studies comprising 4,241 participants. Their mean age was 62.56 ± 3.92 years, and 28% of the patients were females. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of the Apple Watch for detecting AF were 94.8% (95% CI: 91.7% to 96.8%; I Conclusions: The Apple Watch ECG carries high accuracy in detecting atrial fibrillation, providing a convenient diagnostic option for patients.

Indexed as

Apple Watchatrial fibrillationatrial fibrillation screeningelectrocardiogramheart rhythm

Identifiers

PMID39886315
PMCPMC11780081

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.