In a pivotal stride to address the growing AFib epidemic, OMRON Healthcare announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted the company its De Novo authorization to market new home blood pressure monitors featuring breakthrough AI-powered atrial fibrillation detection. In a medical device first, OMRON's novel machine learning IntelliSense™ AFib algorithm automatically analyzes the Pressure Pulse Wave generated during blood pressure measurement to detect AFib, a leading cause of stroke1.
OMRON executives announced the De Novo authorization as the company prepares to participate in the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Chicago.
"OMRON Healthcare is making AFib screening a more integral part of our blood pressure monitoring experience as part of our Going for Zero mission to eliminate heart attack and stroke," said OMRON Healthcare President and CEO Ranndy Kellogg. "AFib is a serious condition that is under-discussed, under-checked and underdiagnosed. We want to change that."
"Our new AFib detection feature keeps closer watch on this high stroke risk condition during routine blood pressure monitoring, making AFib detection more widely accessible and more often practiced so we can help reduce the health risk," said Kellogg.
AFib is the most common type of heart arrythmia2. Left untreated, it increases risk of stroke, heart failure, myocardial infarction, chronic kidney disease, and dementia.
The FDA granted OMRON Healthcare medical-device authorization for the new AFib detection technology via the agency's De Novo classification3, a regulatory pathway for novel innovations for which there is no prior legally marketed device. The De Novo pathway is now being used by the FDA to review digital health products and medical devices that incorporate AI technologies4.
"OMRON invested in the De Novo pathway to affirm our commitment to medical-grade accuracy as we work to develop and introduce first-of-their-kind technologies," said Kellogg.
Built into OMRON blood pressure monitors, IntelliSense™ AFib – which incorporates over 300 mathematical indices into a machine learning algorithm – analyzes the Pressure Pulse Wave generated as the cuff inflates to detect disturbances specific to AFib with remarkable accuracy.
A clinical study published in the October 2024 Heart Rhythm Journal5 found that OMRON blood pressure monitors with Intellisense™ AFib demonstrated a sensitivity of 95 percent and a specificity of 98 percent for AFib detection. Clinical findings were initially presented at the Heart Rhythm Society Annual Meeting in May 2024.
Experts recognize AFib as a rapidly accelerating health epidemic6. While some AFib patients report experiencing heart palpitations, lightheadedness and extreme fatigue, approximately 40 percent are asymptomatic, making it difficult to detect and diagnose the condition without regular screening.
The Journal of the American College of Cardiology7 published a study in September 2024 that found AFib is three times more prevalent than previously estimated. According to the American Stroke Association, millions of Americans with AFib are undiagnosed8. Risk factors for AFib include high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, smoking, heavy use of alcohol, and sleep apnea9.
"High blood pressure affects more than half of all U.S. adults and is a top AFib risk factor. With this De Novo authorization, we are making it easy and routine for anyone with an Intellisense™ AFib-equipped OMRON blood pressure monitor to check for AFib," said Kellogg. "Ninety percent of heart attacks and strokes are preventable through regular blood pressure monitoring and behavior change10. Teaching those we serve how to monitor and act for better heart health is what Going for Zero is all about."
America's number one doctor and pharmacist recommended blood pressure monitor brand, OMRON will launch new upper arm blood pressure monitors with advanced AFib detection in the U.S. in early 2025.
For more information, visit www.OmronHealthcare.com.
