Utility of smart watch in expediting diagnosis of cold drink-triggered atrial fibrillation: a case report
Dublin Core
Title
Utility of smart watch in expediting diagnosis of cold drink-triggered atrial fibrillation: a case report
Subject
Atrial fibrillation, Paroxysmal tachycardia, Emergency medicine, Electrocardiography, Precipitating factors,
Palpitations, Cold drink, Smart watch
Palpitations, Cold drink, Smart watch
Description
Abstract
Background Patients presenting to the emergency department with recent palpitations are a diagnostic challenge
when the arrhythmia and its symptoms have resolved prior to arrival. Newer smart watch technology, adept at
detecting atrial fibrillation, can assist in the diagnostic evaluation of transitory palpitations. We report a case of cold
drink-triggered atrial fibrillation whose diagnosis would not have been possible without the assistance of the patient’s
smart watch.
Case presentation A middle-aged man without cardiac history developed sudden rapid, irregular palpitations with
shortness of breath while drinking a glass of cold juice. He activated his smart watch with 1-lead electrocardiography
technology which detected rapid atrial fibrillation. He sought medical care, but while waiting, his symptoms—then
90 min in duration—spontaneously resolved. His initial diagnostic evaluation documented only sinus rhythm, as did
several follow-up evaluations with cardiology the next several weeks. Had it not been for his smart watch, the etiology
of his transitory palpitations would have remained undiagnosed. His physicians encouraged trigger avoidance. In
the following months, he avoided rapid ingestion of cold drink, taking instead small sips. The atrial fibrillation has not
recurred.
Conclusions The case illustrates the valuable contribution of smart watch technology in the diagnostic evaluation
of patients with short-lived palpitations. The case also educates clinicians about cold drink and food as a trigger of
paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. This trigger, like alcohol, can be modified. Cold drink trigger avoidance has been reported
by patients to reduce atrial fibrillation recurrence and is a low-risk, cost-effective strategy that is often successful.
Keywords Atrial fibrillation, Paroxysmal tachycardia, Emergency medicine, Electrocardiography, Precipitating factors,
Palpitations, Cold drink, Smart watch
Background Patients presenting to the emergency department with recent palpitations are a diagnostic challenge
when the arrhythmia and its symptoms have resolved prior to arrival. Newer smart watch technology, adept at
detecting atrial fibrillation, can assist in the diagnostic evaluation of transitory palpitations. We report a case of cold
drink-triggered atrial fibrillation whose diagnosis would not have been possible without the assistance of the patient’s
smart watch.
Case presentation A middle-aged man without cardiac history developed sudden rapid, irregular palpitations with
shortness of breath while drinking a glass of cold juice. He activated his smart watch with 1-lead electrocardiography
technology which detected rapid atrial fibrillation. He sought medical care, but while waiting, his symptoms—then
90 min in duration—spontaneously resolved. His initial diagnostic evaluation documented only sinus rhythm, as did
several follow-up evaluations with cardiology the next several weeks. Had it not been for his smart watch, the etiology
of his transitory palpitations would have remained undiagnosed. His physicians encouraged trigger avoidance. In
the following months, he avoided rapid ingestion of cold drink, taking instead small sips. The atrial fibrillation has not
recurred.
Conclusions The case illustrates the valuable contribution of smart watch technology in the diagnostic evaluation
of patients with short-lived palpitations. The case also educates clinicians about cold drink and food as a trigger of
paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. This trigger, like alcohol, can be modified. Cold drink trigger avoidance has been reported
by patients to reduce atrial fibrillation recurrence and is a low-risk, cost-effective strategy that is often successful.
Keywords Atrial fibrillation, Paroxysmal tachycardia, Emergency medicine, Electrocardiography, Precipitating factors,
Palpitations, Cold drink, Smart watch
Creator
Grace V. Heringer1
and David R. Vinson2,3,4*
and David R. Vinson2,3,4*
Source
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-024-00716-z
Date
2024
Contributor
Peri Irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
Grace V. Heringer1
and David R. Vinson2,3,4*, “Utility of smart watch in expediting diagnosis of cold drink-triggered atrial fibrillation: a case report,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 11, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12441.