Key result
Daily transtelephonic ECG detects AF recurrences in 64% of post-ablation patients, outperforming Holter monitoring.
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 transtelephonic ECG compared with Holter ECG was unclear.
Does daily transtelephonic electrocardiogram improve detection of AF recurrences compared to Holter ECG in patients after radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation?
Observational (n=22)
Does daily transtelephonic electrocardiogram improve detection of AF recurrences compared to Holter ECG in patients after radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation?
Absolute Event Rate: 64% vs 31.8%
Daily transtelephonic ECG monitoring detects significantly more atrial fibrillation recurrences, many of which are asymptomatic, compared to standard intermittent Holter monitoring after ablation.
May support intensified post-ablation AF monitoring in research; leaves open effects on outcomes or management.
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 electrocardiograms detected atrial fibrillation recurrences in 64% of patients post-ablation, whereas Holter monitoring missed 50% of these recurrences.
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