Prospective comparison of the diagnostic utility of a standard event monitor versus a "leadless" portable ECG monitor in the evaluation of patients with palpitations

Daniel Scherr, Darshan Dalal, Charles A. Henrikson, David D. Spragg, Ronald D. Berger, Hugh Calkins, Alan Cheng

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

38 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Current ambulatory ECG monitoring systems are limited in their ability to diagnose patients with palpitations. The aim of this prospective study was to compare a new "leadless" ambulatory monitor with a standard event monitor in the evaluation of patients with palpitations. Methods: Eighteen consecutive patients (11 female, 56±16 years) referred for evaluation of palpitations were provided with both a standard event monitor and a "leadless" monitor for 30 days. They were asked to record episodes of palpitations with both monitoring devices. Results: All 18 individuals were compliant with the "leadless" monitor for the 30-day period while only 14 (78%) patients were compliant with the standard event monitor (p=0.10). During a combined monitoring period of 563 days, 159 symptomatic episodes were recorded with the "leadless" ECG monitor (8.8±9.7 per patient, range 1-35) and 169 symptomatic episodes were recorded with the event monitor (12±8.3 per patient, range 1-33) (p=NS). The "leadless" ECG monitor recorded arrhythmias in 13 of 18 patients (72%) and the standard event monitor recorded arrhythmias in 8 of 14 patients (57%) (p=NS). Conclusion: The "leadless" ECG monitor is associated with high patient compliance and results in high quality ECG recordings. The diagnostic yield of this monitoring system is equivalent to a standard event monitor.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)39-44
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology
Volume22
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Ambulatory Monitor
  • Arrhythmias
  • ECG
  • Palpitations

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Physiology (medical)

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