Comparison of a portable electrocardiographic home monitor device and conventional 24 h holter during the follow-up of the patient after atrial fibrillation ablation

Abstract

Objective This study was to test the efficacy of a portable electrocardiographic home monitor device(snapECG) in monitoring the patients after atrial fibrillation(AF) ablation procedure, to compare with a conventional 24 h holter, and also to assess patients' compliance. Methods Fifty-two patients referred for evaluation of cardiac arrhythmia within 12 months after AF ablation with a conventional 24 h holter monitor and snapECG.Paired χ2 test was used to assess the agreement of these two follow-up methods.Sensitivity, accuracy and negative predictive value of both methods for the detection of atrial arrhythmia were calculated.One hundred and seventy-five questionnaires were surveyed to evaluate the compliance of 24 h holter and snapECG. Results A total of 169 24 h holter reports and 1 218 episodes of snapECG recordings were obtained.The incidence of atrial arrhythmia were 20.4% and 46.3% according to holter and snapECG, respectively(P=0.004). The sensitivity, accuracy and negative predictive value were higher by snapECG monitor than by conventional 24 h holter.The results of questionnaire revealed that the feasibility and compliance of snapECG were better than 24 h holter. Conclusion The efficacy of snapECG in monitoring patients after AF ablation were better than conventional 24 h holter and the feasibility, and compliance of snapECG were also better than conventional methods. Key words: Portable electrocardiographic home monitor device; Holter monitor; Atrial fibrillation; Catheter ablation