Smartwatch: Looking beyond what you see.

The clinical utility of the Apple Inc.® smartwatch in scenarios beyond detecting atrial fibrillation has been debated. Although the device has the capability to record electrocardiograms (ECG) and detect arrhythmias, voltage limitations hinder its accuracy in measuring real voltage when recording precordial leads. This limitation poses challenges for its clinical use in diagnosing ischemia and screening cardiomyopathies. This review aims to analyze the ECG recording capacity of the Apple Watch, investigate the reasons for voltage limitations, and explore alternative approaches for its use in these clinical scenarios. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to examine the ECG recording capacity of the Apple Watch and the limitations encountered when recording precordial leads. Data in CSV format files were analyzed to gain insights into the underlying causes of voltage limitations. The Apple Watch demonstrates effectiveness in detecting cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation using photoplethysmography and ECG recording. However, voltage limitations during precordial lead recordings impede accurate voltage measurement, thereby limiting its clinical utility. Analysis of the data stored in the CSV files revealed that these voltage limitations are primarily attributed to the presentation format. Exploring alternative approaches for data processing could potentially overcome this challenge. This review highlights the potential for addressing voltage limitations through alternative data processing approaches. Further research is necessary to identify suitable alternatives that enable the Apple Watch to be effectively utilized in these clinical scenarios. • The Apple Watch has demonstrated the capability to record ECGs from a single lead and detect atrial fibrillation using photoplethysmography. • Strategically placing the smartwatch on body parts allows recording up to 9 leads, mimicking a standard ECG's morphology. • The device's format limits voltage in precordial leads, leading to inaccuracies and reducing its clinical utility. • This review analyzes Apple Watch's ECG recording capacity and CSV file utilization to explore and mitigate this limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]