Zhijun Sun, MD | Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Tong Zou, MD; Honggang Qi, PhD
Competition Sponsor: Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
Awardee Year: 2025
China’s rapidly aging population is projected to exceed 300 million during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, with atrial fibrillation (AF) prevalence surpassing 10% in individuals aged 75 years and above. AF reduces life expectancy by 1.8–2.3 years and increases stroke risk. Although wearable photoplethysmography (PPG) devices provide wrist-based continuous monitoring and low cost, they still lack medical-grade validation standards. This project aims to conduct a PPG diagnostic concordance study based on the Insertable Cardiac Monitor (ICM) for AF diagnosis, and to construct an intelligent management system for elderly AF cohorts using wearable watches with a comprehensive in-patient and out-patient management dashboard. The research objectives are to: (1) develop medical-grade PPG AF monitoring technology with accuracy exceeding 95%; (2) establish a PPG-ICM diagnostic concordance assessment system; (3) develop an interactive AF management app; and (4) establish a pilot intelligent management system for elderly AF cohorts. The technical approach includes utilizing our 400 ICM implantation cohort to establish a PPG-ICM gold standard comparison validation system; conducting diagnostic concordance comparative studies based on 72 AF patients and 72 non-AF controls; developing a smart app integrating AF monitoring, burden assessment, medication management, and stroke screening; and performing prospective validation in 100 newly implanted ICM patients. Expected outcomes include achieving medical-grade PPG AF monitoring technology, establishing the ICM diagnostic concordance validation system, developing 3–5 invention patents, completing the AF management app, and publishing 2–3 JCR Q1 papers, while reducing PPG technology costs and providing convenient, precise monitoring solutions for elderly AF patients.