Abstract 12116: Sex Differences in Arrhythmia Prevalence in a Large Patient Cohort Examined With Mobile Cardiac Telemetry

Abstract

Introduction: The frequency of clinically relevant arrhythmia on long-term ambulatory ECG recordings is not sufficiently well described. We aimed to address this in a large patient cohort monitored with mobile cardiac telemetry. Methods: All patients 18-100 years who were monitored in the USA in 2017 (n=27.203, 58% female) with the PocketECG device (MediLynx), which registers and transmits a full-disclosure ECG for ≤30 days with beat-to-beat analysis, were included. Frequent premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) and frequent premature atrial complexes (PACs) were defined as ≥200 PVCs or ≥500 PACs in any recording day. Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) episodes were defined as both any SVT >3 beats, and SVT ≥30 seconds. AV-blocks II and III were not differentiated. Results: In the 18-40-year age group the overall prevalence of any arrhythmia was low (Figure 1 a-f). Frequent PACs, atrial fibrillation, AV-blocks and ventricular arrhythmias were more common in men than women (all p<0.0001), and SVTs, both >3 beats and >30 seconds, were more common in women (p<0.001 and p<0.004, respectively). The overall prevalence of any VT event was 22.9% in women and 40.8% in men (p<0.0001) and the mean age at onset of VT was lower in women (71.9 vs 72.6 years, 95%CI for difference (-1.3; -0.3). Conclusions: Most arrhythmias are more prevalent among men of all ages, but SVTs are more prevalent among women. VT events are common in a patient population, and the age at onset of ventricular tachycardia is lower among women.