Novel wearable sensor device methodology for STEMI detection
Authors: Fernandez F , Villagran C , Cardenas G , Niklitschek S , Mehta S , Vieira D , Frauenfelder A , Quintero S , Vijayan Y , Merchant S , Tamayo C.J 
Published: November 2020

Background

Novel STEMI detection tools using wearable Single Lead EKG methodologies demonstrate vast potential in many clinical scenarios. Recent research suggests that smartwatches and other wearable devices can be repositioned to acquire “new” chest leads that have similar, but not equal, waveforms when compared to traditional precordial leads. Throughout our previous research, only Lead I data had been used to train our Machine Learning (ML) models due to a lack of datasets from these “new” leads. We now propose an innovative methodology to tackle these limitations and compare it with our previous experience.

Purpose

To demonstrate that mathematical vector algebra can reliably transform EKG STEMI databases into different, ML-ready datasets useful to train models with entirely new leads, mainly to be used in the development and training of reliable STEMI detection tools.

Methods

Our previous research has demonstrated that the most accurate (91.2%) ML model was achieved through precordial lead 2 (V2). By definition, V2 corresponds to the difference in electric potential between the Wilson Central Terminal (Wt) and the Chest terminal 2 (C2). To obtain the Wt, at least three electrodes must be used (Right Arm [RA], Left Arm [LA], Left Leg [LL]). Due to practical reasons, we discarded this methodology and worked with Lead I instead, which needs only two body contacts (RA, LA), and provides waveforms that are compatible with the majority of wearable devices (smartwatches, rings, among others). New waveforms (Vn') were obtained by positioning a single lead-capable wearable device (Smartwatch) to chest positions Cn (C1, C2,...,C6) and touching a second electrode with a right-hand finger, which corresponds to the difference in electric potential between RA and the correspondent conventional Vn chest position, respectively. Using vector algebra, we observe that Vn' corresponds to the sum of −aVR + Vn. Vector mathematical analysis was performed for 5,783 STEMI (50%) and 5,784 Not-STEMI (50%) EKG dataset, obtaining their corresponding new precordial leads Vn'. Following this, the ML Heart Attack Detector model was trained with 10,410 EKG (90%) and tested utilizing 1,157 (10%) EKG. Performance metrics were calculated for each new Lead and compared with our Prior Data.

Results

A 1:1 correlation was seen between our previous and current experiments, with Lead V2' performing as the best overall lead with 91.2% Accuracy, 89.6% Sensibility, and 92.9% Specificity. Complete information on prior and new data are provided below.

Conclusions

With the use of this new methodology, we overcame the inherent limitations of using our best Lead (V2) in a single lead approach for STEMI screening. Further prospective data is needed to validate this approach, but it provides a promising blueprint for automated STEMI detection and management triage through the use of wearable devices.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None