Can 24 h of ambulatory ECG be used to triage patients to extended monitoring?

Background: Access to long-term ambulatory recording to detect atrial fibrillation (AF) is limited for economical and practical reasons. We aimed to determine whether 24 h ECG (24hECG) data can predict AF detection on extended cardiac monitoring.

Methods: We included all US patients from 2020, aged 17-100 years, who were monitored for 2-30 days using the PocketECG device (MEDICALgorithmics), without AF ≥30 s on the first day (n = 18,220, mean age 64.

Six-lead electrocardiography compared to single-lead electrocardiography and photoplethysmography of a wrist-worn device for atrial fibrillation detection controlled by premature atrial or ventricular contractions: six is smarter than one.

Background: Smartwatches are commonly capable to record a lead-I-like electrocardiogram (ECG) and perform a photoplethysmography (PPG)-based atrial fibrillation (AF) detection. Wearable technologies repeatedly face the challenge of frequent premature beats, particularly in target populations for screening of AF.

Objective: To investigate the potential diagnostic benefit of six-lead ECG compared to single-lead ECG and PPG-based algorithm for AF detection of the wrist-worn device.

High Prevalence of Atrial Fibrillation in a Lithuanian Stroke Patient Cohort.

Background and Objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with a five-fold increased risk for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We aimed to estimate the prevalence of AF in a Lithuanian cohort of stroke patients, and its impact on patients regarding case fatality, functional outcome, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) at 90 days. Materials and Methods: A single-center prospective study was carried out for four non-consecutive months between December 2018 and July 2019 in one of the two comprehensive stroke centers in Eastern Lithuania.

High Specificity Wearable Device With Photoplethysmography and Six-Lead Electrocardiography for Atrial Fibrillation Detection Challenged by Frequent Premature Contractions: DoubleCheck-AF.

Background: Consumer smartwatches have gained attention as mobile health (mHealth) tools able to detect atrial fibrillation (AF) using photoplethysmography (PPG) or a short strip of electrocardiogram (ECG). PPG has limited accuracy due to the movement artifacts, whereas ECG cannot be used continuously, is usually displayed as a single-lead signal and is limited in asymptomatic cases.

Objective: DoubleCheck-AF is a validation study of a wrist-worn device dedicated to providing both continuous PPG-based rhythm monitoring and instant 6-lead ECG with no wires.

Mitigating arrhythmia risk in Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin treated COVID-19 patients using arrhythmia risk management plan.

Aims: To assess cardiac safety in COVID-19 patients treated with the combination of Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin using arrhythmia risk management plan.

Methods And Results: We retrospectively examined arrhythmia safety of treatment with Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin in the setting of pre-defined arrhythmia risk management plan. The data was analyzed using R statistical package version 4.

Impact of single versus double transseptal puncture on outcome and complications in pulmonary vein isolation procedures.

Background: The aim of the current study was to analyze the impact of single versus double transseptal puncture (TSP) for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing AF ablation were prospectively included in the AF ablation registry and were analyzed according to single versus double TSP.

Results: A total of 478 patients (female 35%, persistent AF 67%) undergoing AF ablation between 01/2014 and 09/2014 were included.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices: best practice and real-world experience.

Aims: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has long been a contraindication for patients with a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED). Recent studies support the feasibility and safety for non-thoracic magnetic resonance imaging, but data for CMR are sparse. The aim of the current study was to determine the safety in patients with magnetic resonance (MR)-conditional or non-MR-conditional CIED and to develop a best practice approach.