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Stroke Prevention Study to Analyze Benefits of Wearable Devices
A study at the Center for Arrhythmia Research at Northwestern University received a grant to fund plans to analyze the benefits of wearable devices, such as the Apple Watch, in stroke prevention.
Wearable devices have gained much traction recently for their potential uses in the healthcare industry. Recently, Northwestern University has collaborated with Johns Hopkins University on a research project focused on using the Apple Watch for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib).
According to the Northwestern press release, this is the first-ever national grant to study wearable devices. The $37 million budget was given by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, a subset of the NIH.
The study will be a seven-year longitudinal clinical trial called the Rhythm Evaluation for AntiCoagulaTion (REACT-AF).
An article by Northwestern Medicine states that “AFib is a heart rhythm disorder characterized by fast and irregular heartbeats from the upper chambers of the heart. People with AFib have an increased risk of stroke, so many are continuously treated with blood-thinning medication to reduce that risk. But this treatment also raises the risk of bleeding, according to Passman, and balancing the risks and benefits can be challenging for both patients and physicians.”
The CDC states that nearly 17% of cardiovascular deaths in 2020 were related to stroke. Additionally, 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke each year. Managing stroke risk factors is essential for patients with AFib and often involves blood thinners.
Despite the benefits of blood thinners, there are potential drawbacks. Additionally, many patients on blood thinners become reliant on blood thinners.
“The seven-year trial will recruit 5,400 patients, randomizing them to receive either the current standard of care or treatment directed by the app on the Apple Watch. The trial will also examine whether the app can reduce major bleeding events compared to continuous therapy.”
“Secondary aims include measuring patient satisfaction and healthcare resource utilization. Importantly, the trial will reveal important information about AFib no matter the findings, according to Passman,” stated an article by Northwestern Medicine.
Although wearable devices may have implications for use in the healthcare industry, many physicians and patients are concerned about patient information security. As the Apple Watch sensors have yet to receive FDA approval, researchers in this study must weigh the benefits of their use with potential drawbacks.
