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Sustained Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia Accurately Detected by Wearable Technology

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Wearable devices are increasingly used to detect arrhythmias, including life-threatening ventricular tachycardia (VT). This case highlights their role in clinical settings. A patient with prior surgical aortic valve replacement because of a bicuspid valve experienced symptomatic palpitations, and his smartwatch recorded a wide complex tachycardia at 165 beats/min. His presentation led to intensive care admission and later to a diagnosis of VT successfully treated with an implantable defibrillator and ultimately requiring radiofrequency ablation. Smartwatches provide a noninvasive tool for detecting arrhythmias like VT, using photoplethysmography and single-lead ECG. Limitations include validation gaps, false positives, and user activation. Integration into clinical practice requires updated guidelines, structured reimbursement, and legal clarity. This case demonstrates the critical role of smartwatch data in VT detection and management.

Source: JACC Case Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.jaccas.2025.103273