Key result
Daily transtelephonic ECG detects more post-ablation AF recurrences, catching ~50% of cases missed by Holter.
Why the study?
The definition of success following AF ablation is commonly based on lack of symptoms, but the incidence of AF recurrences detected by daily T-ECG compared with Holter ECG was unclear.
Does daily transtelephonic electrocardiogram (T-ECG) improve detection of atrial fibrillation recurrences compared to Holter ECG in patients after radiofrequency catheter ablation?
Observational (n=22)
Does daily transtelephonic electrocardiogram (T-ECG) improve detection of atrial fibrillation recurrences compared to Holter ECG in patients after radiofrequency catheter ablation?
Daily transtelephonic ECG monitoring is superior to intermittent Holter monitoring for detecting asymptomatic atrial fibrillation recurrences after ablation.
May support daily T-ECG for post-ablation AF surveillance; leaves open whether higher detection improves outcomes.
Background: Extensive encircling pulmonary vein isolation (EEPVI) is effective for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the definition of success following ablation is commonly based on the lack of symptoms. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of recurrences of AF by daily transtelephonic electrocardiogram (T‐ECG), as compared with Holter ECG, after ablation of AF. Methods: Twenty‐two patients with AF underwent EEPVI. Holter ECG tests were performed at one, three, and six months, in addition to a daily T‐ECG for the first 180 days after ablation. Results: A total of 6012 T‐ECGs were obtained. Of these, 18.9% (1136) showed AF. Patients with AF were asymptomatic for 41.4% (470) of the episodes. Additionally, in 64% (14 of 22) of the patients, AF recurrences were recorded by T‐ECG, whereas Holter ECG tests did not detect AF recurrences in 50% of the patients (7 of 14). Conclusions: T‐ECG is better than Holter ECG in detecting AF relapses. The absence of symptoms should not be interpreted as absence of AF.
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Senga et al. (2009) conducted an observational in Atrial fibrillation (n=22). Daily transtelephonic electrocardiogram (T-ECG) vs. Holter ECG was evaluated on Detection of atrial fibrillation recurrences. Daily transtelephonic ECG detected atrial fibrillation recurrences in 64% of patients post-ablation, whereas Holter ECG failed to detect recurrences in 50% of these patients.
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