Commercially available health devices are gaining momentum and represent a great opportunity for monitoring patients for prolonged periods. This study aimed at testing the feasibility of a smart device-based secondary prevention program in a cohort of patients with cryptogenic stroke.
In this proof-of-principle study, patients with non-disabling ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attacks (TIA) in the subacute phase were provided with a smartwatch and smart devices to monitor several parameters – i.e., oxygen saturation, blood pressure, steps a day, heart rate and heart rate variability - for a 4-week period (watch group). This group was compared with a standard-of-care group. Our primary endpoint was the compliance with the use of smart devices that was evaluated as the number of measures performed during the observation period.
In total, 161 patients were recruited, 87 in the WATCH group and 74 in the control group. In the WATCH group, more than 90% of patients recorded the ECG at least once a day. In total, 5,335 ECGs were recorded during the study. The median blood pressure value was 132/78 mmHg and the median oxygen saturation value was 97%. From a clinical standpoint, although not statistically significant, nine atrial fibrillation episodes (10.3%) in the WATCH group vs. 3 (4%) in the control group were detected.
Our study suggests that prevention programs for cerebrovascular disease may benefit from the implementation of new technologies.