Contribution of portable devices in the detection of atrial fibrillation, the case of the alivecor kardiamobile in Cameroon

Abstract

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation is the most common permanent cardiac rhythm disorder in the world. One of the major challenges remains its diagnosis on a large scale. Artificial intelligence applied to rhythmology has enabled the development of portable devices
dedicated to identifying patients with atrial fibrillation. The aim of our study was to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the Alivecor KardiaMobile® device in an African in-patient and out-patient population.

Material and method: We conducted a cross-sectional study in two groups of patients aged 60 and over, recruited in hospital and in the community. Each patient was screened using the AliveCor KardiaMobile® device. A standard electrocardiogram was systematically performed when the test result was positive. The data were analysed using SPSS version 20.0 software.

Results: The study included 103 subjects aged over 60. The mean age of the population was 68.9 years, with a M/F sex ratio of 0.56. The most common cardiovascular risk factor was arterial hypertension (60%). The frequency of atrial fibrillation was 4.9% of the total
population. Heart failure was statistically associated with the presence of atrial fibrillation. The overall sensitivity and specificity of the Alivecor KardiaMobile® were 100% and 98% respectively.

Conclusion: The AliveCor KardiaMobile® device shows excellent sensitivity and specificity in detecting atrial fibrillation and could help in the early detection of at-risk patients in hospitals in low- and middle-income countries.