24-hour Holter Electrocardiography Research Articles

The Prognosis of Idiopathic Premature Ventricular Beats in Children with Structurally Normal Hearts.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the prognosis of idiopathic premature ventricular beats (PVBs) in children. We retrospectively evaluated 73 children (<18 years old) with idiopathic PVBs and structurally normal hearts. All patients were evaluated by 24-hour Holter electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography at the first admission and followed with a mean of 27 ± 7.6 months after diagnosis. Baseline Holter ECG and echocardiographic findings were compared to the last visit. The mean age of the patients was 11.1 ± 4.8 years, and half were symptomatic at initial examination. Baseline Holter showed complex beats in 35 cases, non-sustained ventricular tachycardia in 7 cases, and frequent PVBs in 19 cases. Complete recovery (CR) of PVBs was observed in 37 cases (50.7%) at a median of 15 (minimum: 5, maximum: 33) months after diagnosis. There were no significant differences in CR rates between patient groups with left bundle branch block (LBBB) vs. right bundle branch block (RBBB) morphology of PVBs, simple vs. complex PVBs, and daytime vs. nighttime dominance of PVBs (P > .05 for all parameters). The CR rate of PVBs was different among patients with infrequent, moderate, and frequent PVBs (62.8%, 36.4%, and 31.6%, respectively). Premature ventricular beats disappeared more often during follow-up in patients with infrequent PVBs (P = .045). However, the absolute decrease and disappearance rates of PVBs were similar across all groups (72.1%, 81.8%, and 89.5%, respectively; P = .319). The resolution rates of PVBs were not statistically different between the patient group who received pharmacological treatment and the group who followed up without treatment (P = .070). No myocardial dysfunction was observed in any patient during follow-up. No cases experienced major cardiac events. Idiopathic PVBs usually regress in childhood regardless of frequency and complexity or receiving antiarrhythmic medication. The risk of ventricular dysfunction is low during childhood; however, they require careful evaluation and follow-up.

A pilot study of the proarrhythmic effects of pimobendan injection in clinically healthy cats.

Pimobendan is not currently approved for use in cats, although its usefulness in feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has been suggested. Reports indicate an increase in arrhythmic events following oral administration to healthy cats. Given the greater potency of intravenous administration compared to oral intake, it is conceivable that the incidence of arrhythmias may be increased following pimobendan injection. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the proarrhythmic effects of pimobendan injection in cats. Five clinically healthy cats underwent physical examination, echocardiography, blood pressure measurements, and 24-hour Holter electrocardiography immediately before and after receiving pimobendan as an intravenous bolus dose of 0.15mg/kg twice daily for 3 days. Additionally, a 24-hour Holter electrocardiography recording was conducted on the third day of pimobendan or placebo IV administration to assess heart rate, arrhythmias, and heart rate variability. Following pimobendan administration, there was a significant increase in total 24-hour heart rate. Echocardiography revealed a significant increase in mitral valve annulus systolic velocity (S') on the ventricular septal wall side, indicative of enhanced contractility. Only one cat exhibited paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia and an increase in the frequency of arrhythmic events. Conversely, in the remaining cats, a decreasing trend in the number of arrhythmias was observed. These findings indicate that intravenous administration of pimobendan may not be implicated in the onset of arrhythmias. Nevertheless, further research is warranted to explore the effects of intravenous pimobendan administration in cats with myocardial disease.

Evaluation of cardiac clues in patients admitted to pediatric cardiology outpatient clinic with syncope

Background: In our study, we aimed to determine the incidence rates of children admitted to the pediatric cardiology outpatient clinic with syncope according to their etiologies; and especially to reveal the clues that distinguish cardiac syncope cases from other cases. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted by obtaining the information of 795 children aged 5-17 years who were diagnosed with syncope in the pediatric cardiology outpatient clinic of our tertiary university hospital between 01.01.2021 and 01.06.2024 from the data in our hospital automation system. Medical history of the patient and his/her family, syncopal event, physical examination findings, 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography, 24-hour rhythm holter and exercise ECG records were analyzed. Results: Cardiac syncope was 14.5% (10.8% arrhythmia and 3.7% structural heart disease) while noncardiac syncope was 85.5% (VVS 60.6%, OH 18.6%, situational 1% and 4.8% idiopathic). The most common conditions associated with cardiac syncope were a history of arrhythmia and heart disease, a family history of sudden death at a young age, and syncope associated with exercise-palpitations-chest pain. Rhythm holter test had a low diagnostic rate, while exercise ECG test had a high diagnostic rate. Conclusion: It is important to diagnose cardiac syncope as it can cause sudden death. Standard 12-lead ECG, echocardiography and rhythm holter examination should be performed in all suspected patients; exercise ECG, head-up tilt test, genetic arrhythmia/cardiomyopathy investigations and electrophysiologic study should be performed in selected cases. In addition, simultaneous ECG monitoring during electroencephalography (EEG) examination in patients presenting with atonic seizures will be very useful in terms of clarifying the etiology.

Zolpidem-triggered atrial fibrillation in a patient with cardiomyopathy: a case report

BackgroundZolpidem is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic widely used to manage insomnia. Zolpidem-triggered atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with cardiomyopathy has never been reported before.Case presentationA 40-year-old man with Duchenne muscular dystrophy-related cardiomyopathy attempted suicide and developed new-onset AF after zolpidem overdose. One year before admission, the patient visited our clinic due to chest discomfort and fatigue after daily walks for 1 month; both electrocardiography (ECG) and 24-hour Holter ECG results did not detect AF. After administration of cardiac medication (digoxin 0.125 mg/day, spironolactone 40 mg/day, furosemide 20 mg/day, bisoprolol 5 mg/day, sacubitril/valsartan 12/13 mg/day), he felt better. AF had never been observed before this admission via continuous monitoring during follow-up. Sixteen days before admission, the patient saw a sleep specialist and started zolpidem tartrate tablets (10 mg/day) due to insomnia for 6 months; ECG results revealed no significant change. The night before admission, the patient attempted suicide by overdosing on 40 mg of zolpidem after an argument, which resulted in severe lethargy. Upon admission, his ECG revealed new-onset AF, necessitating immediate cessation of zolpidem. Nine hours into admission, AF spontaneously terminated into normal sinus rhythm. Results from the ECG on the following days and the 24-hour Holter ECG at 1-month follow-up showed that AF was not detected.ConclusionsThis study provides valuable clinical evidence indicating that zolpidem overdose may induce AF in patients with cardiomyopathy. It serves as a critical warning for clinicians when prescribing zolpidem, particularly for patients with existing heart conditions. Further large-scale studies are needed to validate this finding and to explore the mechanisms between zolpidem and AF.

The role of &lt;i&gt;Pseudomonas aeruginosa&lt;/i&gt; pneumonia in the development of cardiovascular events in patients with heart failure

Aim. To assess the contribution of Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia to the development of cardiovascular events in patients with heart failure (HF).Material and methods. The study included 219 patients who were divided into a group of patients with pneumonia caused by P. aeruginosa (Group I) and a group of patients with pneumonia caused by S. aureus, S. pneumoniae (Group II). All patients underwent chest computed tomography (CT), blood tests, echocardiography, electrocardiography (ECG), 24-hour Holter ECG monitoring, pulse oximetry (SpO2), and Doppler ultrasound of the lower limb veins.Results. According to the study, cardiovascular events were more often observed in the group of patients with P. aeruginosa pneumonia as follows: death from cardiovascular events was registered in 11,4% of patients in group I and 0% of patients in group II (p=0,001); acute coronary syndrome — in 8,7 vs 0% (p=0,002), lower limb thrombosis — in 14 vs 1,9% (p=0,001). The occurrence of P. aeruginosa pneumonia in patients with HF increased the cardiovascular death risk by 8,8 times (95% confidence interval (CI): 1,2-65,7; p=0,005), acute coronary syndrome — in 8,0 times (95% CI: 1,1-60,2; p=0,014), lower limb thrombosis — in 9,6 times (95% CI: 1,3-71,2; p=0,004).Conclusion. Patients with HF and P. aeruginosa pneumonia are at greater risk of cardiovascular events than patients with pneumonia caused by S. pneumonia and S. aureus.

Association between the Albumin-to-Globulin Ratio and Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Atrial fibrillation (AF), which occurs four to six times more frequently in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients than in the general population, is the most common persistent arrhythmia and has a substantial therapeutic consequence. In HCM patients, there are currently no discovered signs that could be utilized to identify AF. From 2018 to 2022, 493 individuals with a continuous diagnosis of HCM were examined at Beijing Anzhen Hospital. AF was proven using routine electrocardiography (ECG), 24-hour Holter ECGs, or bedside ECGs. Echocardiography and blood tests were performed for all patients. Analysis and comparison of the traits were performed in HCM patients with AF (n = 77) and without AF (n = 416). Age (p 0.001), prevalence of ventricular tachycardia (VT, p 0.001), prevalence of pulmonary artery hypertension (p = 0.027), and albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR, p = 0.046) were all significantly higher in patients with AF, compared to patients without AF. In multivariate logistic analysis, age (odds ratio [OR], 1.063; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.032-1.095; p 0.001), history of VT (OR, 2.702; 95% CI, 1.007-7.255; p = 0.048), AGR (OR, 3.477; 95% CI, 1.417-8.536; p = 0.007), left atrial diameter (OR, 1.132; 95% CI, 1.073-1.194; p 0.001), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (OR, 0.861; 95% CI, 0.762-0.974; p = 0.017), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (OR, 1.239; 95% CI, 1.083-1.417; p = 0.002), and peak A wave velocity (OR, 0.983; 95% CI, 0.972-0.994; p = 0.002) were independently associated with AF in HCM patients. In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the area under the curve for the established model was 0.819 (95% CI, 0.755-0.883, p = 0.033), with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.763 and 0.816, respectively, for AF occurrence in HCM patients. In individuals with HCM, a history of VT and a higher AGR are independently linked to AF. Further investigation is necessary to determine whether increased AGR represents a risk factor for embolic stroke or cardiovascular death.

Identification of patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy at risk of malignant ventricular arrhythmias: insights from cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking

BackgroundPatients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM) are prone to arrhythmias, and the cause of mortality in these patients is either end-organ dysfunction due to pump failure or malignant arrhythmia-related death. However, the identification of patients with NIDCM at risk of malignant ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) is challenging in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT) could help in the identification of patients with NIDCM at risk of malignant VAs.MethodsA total of 263 NIDCM patients who underwent CMR, 24-hour Holter electrocardiography (ECG) and inpatient ECG were retrospectively evaluated. The patients with NIDCM were allocated to two subgroups: NIDCM with VAs and NIDCM without VAs. From CMR-FT, the global peak radial strain (GPRS), global longitudinal strain (GPLS), and global peak circumferential strain (GPCS) were calculated from the left ventricle (LV) model. We investigated the possible predictors of NIDCM combined with VAs by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.ResultsThe percent LGE (15.51 ± 3.30 vs. 9.62 ± 2.18, P < 0.001) was higher in NIDCM patients with VAs than in NIDCM patients without VAs. Furthermore, the NIDCM patients complicated with VAs had significantly lower GPCS than the NIDCM patients without VAs (− 5.38 (− 7.50, − 4.22) vs.−9.22 (− 10.73, − 8.19), P < 0.01). Subgroup analysis based on LGE negativity showed that NIDCM patients complicated with VAs had significantly lower GPRS, GPCS, and GPLS than NIDCM patients without VAs (P < 0.05 for all). Multivariate analysis showed that both GPCS and %LGE were independent predictors of NIDCM combined with VAs.ConclusionsCMR global strain can be used to identify NIDCM patients complicated with VAs early, specifically when LGE is not present. GPCS < − 13.19% and %LGE > 10.37% are independent predictors of NIDCM combined with VAs.

Clinical Characteristics and Features of Idiopathic Premature Ventricular Contractions with an Enlarged Left Atrium in Patients Without Structural Heart Diseases

Background and aims: Idiopathic premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) may cause subtle changes in left atrium (LA) structure and function. Here, we investigated whether serum sodium, body mass index (BMI), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and other characteristics might be associated with LA in these patients. Methods: A total of 268 consecutive patients diagnosed with idiopathic PVCs were retrospectively analyzed. We assessed associations of enlarged LA and with the clinical features obtained from 24-hour Holter monitoring, electrocardiography and serum data in patients with PVCs. Results: Patients with an enlarged LA (n = 101), compared with a normal LA (n = 167), had significantly lower serum sodium (140.9 ± 3.0 mmol/L vs 141.7 ± 2.8 mmol/L; P = 0.022), higher BMI (24.5 ± 2.7 kg/m2 vs 21.7 ± 2.5 kg/m2; P &lt; 0.001), higher NT-proBNP [99.3 (193.6) pg/mL vs 77.8 (68.8) pg/mL; P &lt; 0.001] and lower average heart rates (73.0 ± 8.0 bpm vs 75.3 ± 7.6 bpm; P = 0.019). No significant differences were observed in P-wave dispersion, QRS duration, PVC coupling interval, pleomorphism, circadian rhythm, non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, serum potassium, serum magnesium, hypersensitive C-reactive protein, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, symptoms and PVC duration. Conclusions: Beyond the burden of PVCs, attributes such as serum sodium, BMI, NT-proBNP and average heart beats may potentially correlate with LA enlargement in individuals with idiopathic PVCs.

The effect of long-term use of methylphenidate on cardiac autonomic functions and ventricular arrhythmogenesis: a prospective case-control study.

We aimed to assess cardiac autonomic balance with heart rate variability by using 24-hour Holter electrocardiography and also to assess susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias by using microvolt T wave alternance in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This study was conducted with age- and gender-matched groups of 40 patients taking long-acting methylphenidate for more than a year and 55 healthy controls. Heart rate variability analysis for cardiac autonomic functions and microvolt T wave alternance measurements for susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias were evaluated by 24-hour Holter electrocardiography. The mean age 10.9 ± 2.7 years, mean duration of therapy 22.76 months, and mean methylphenidate doses were 37.64 mg/day. The study group had considerably higher rMSSD, higher HF, and a lower LF/HF ratio (respectively, p : 0.02, p : 0.001 and p : 0.01). While parasympathetic activity parameters were elevated, sympathetic activity parameters were low during the sleep period. Increase in the microvolt T wave alternance values of the study group was not found to be statistically significant (p > 0.05). In children taking long-acting methylphenidate, the autonomic balance was shown to be in favour of the parasympathetic system. Determination of the vulnerability to life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias has been evaluated for the first time in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Accordingly, microvolt T-wave alternance values give the notion that drug use is safe.

Improvement in Blood Pressure After Intermittent Fasting in Hipertension: Could Renin-Angiotensin System and Autonomic Nervous System Have a Role?

Although it has been reported that the intermittent fasting (IF) diet has positive effects on heart health and improvement in blood pressure, it has not been sufficiently clarified how it could have these positive effects yet. We aimed to evaluate the effects of IF on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which are closely related to blood pressure. Seventy-two hypertensive patients were included in the study, and the data of 58 patients were used. All the participants fasted for about 15-16 hours for 30 days. Participants were evaluated with 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and Holter electrocardiography before and after IF; also, 5 ml venous blood samples were taken for assessment of Serum angiotensin I (Ang-I) and angiotensin II (Ang-II) levels and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity. For data analysis, the p-value <0.05 was accepted as significant. Compared to pre-IF, a significant decrease was observed in the patients' blood pressures in post-IF. An increase in high-frequency (HF) power and the mean root square of the sum of squares of differences between adjacent NN intervals (RMSSD) were observed after the IF protocol (p=0.039, p=0.043). Ang-II and ACE activity were lower in patients after IF (p=0.034, p=0.004), and decreasing Ang-II levels were determined as predictive factors for improvement of the blood pressure, like the increase in HF power and RMSSD. The present findings of our study demonstrated an improvement in blood pressure and the relationship of blood pressure with positive outcomes, including HRV, ACE activity, and Ang-II levels after the IF protocol.

Cardioneuroablation for Reflex Syncope: Efficacy and Effects on Autonomic Cardiac Regulation-AProspective Randomized Trial.

Treatment of cardioinhibitory vasovagal syncope (VVS) is difficult. Recently, cardioneuroablation (CNA) has emerged as a new therapeutic option. This study sought to assess the effects of CNA on syncope recurrences in patients with VVS. This study was a prospective, open, randomized, controlled, investigator-initiated trial comparing CNA versus optimal nonpharmacologic therapy in patients with cardioinhibitory VVS. Patients were included if they had documented symptomatic cardioinhibitory or mixed VVS and positive atropine test. CNA was performed using radiofrequency ablation of the ganglionated plexi from the left and right atria. Follow-up lasted 2 years. Primary endpoint was time to first syncope recurrence. Secondary endpoints included changes in sinus rhythm and heart ratevariability measured in Holter electrocardiography at baseline and 3, 12, and 24months after CNA, as well as changesin quality of life at baseline and after completion of follow-up. A total of 48 patients (17 male, mean age 38 ± 10 years, 24 in CNA group, 24 in control group) entered thestudy. The primary endpoint occurred in 2 patients (8%) from the CNA group versus 13 control patients (54%) (P=0.0004). After CNA the mean sinus rhythm at 24-hour Holter electrocardiography was significantly faster and heart rate variability parameters significantly changed toward parasympathetic withdrawal compared with baseline values. Quality of life significantly improved in the CNA group (30 ± 10 points vs 10 ± 7 points; P = 0.0001), whereas it remained stable in control patients (31 ± 10 points vs 30 ± 10 points; P = 0.5501). This is the first randomized study documenting efficacy of CNA in patients with cardioinhibitory VVS. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings. (Cardioneuroablation for Reflex Syncope [ROMAN]; NCT03903744).

Ventricular Premature Complexes and Their Associated Factors in a General Population of Japanese Men

Increased ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) are associated with a higher risk of cardiac morbidities. However, little information is available on the risk factors of Western general populations. Therefore, we aimed to assess the frequency and associated factors of VPCs in healthy general Japanese men. We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study in 517 men, aged 40 to 79years, using 24-hour Holter electrocardiography. Age, body mass index, height, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, resting heart rate, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, lipid-lowering therapy were included in multivariable negative binomial regression to assess independent correlates for the number of VPCs per hour. We observed at least 1 VPC in 1hour in 429 men (83%). In multivariable negative binomial regression adjusted for all covariates simultaneously, age (risk ratio [95% confidence interval] 1.91 [1.56 to 2.33] per 1-SD increment), height (1.17 [1.04 to 1.49] per 1-SD increment), resting heart rate(1.34 [1.02 to 1.77] per 1-SD increment), diabetes mellitus (2.36 [1.17 to 4.76] ), hypertension (1.90 [1.03 to 3.50]), physical activity (0.67 [0.47 to 0.97] ), current smoking (4.23 [1.86 to 9.60] ), past smoking (2.08 [1.03 to 4.19] ), current light alcohol consumption (0.16 [0.04 to 0.64] ), and lipid-lowering therapy (0.47 [0.23 to 0.96] ) were independently associated with VPCs frequency. In conclusion, VPCs frequency was independently associated with age, height, resting heart rate, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and lipid-lowering therapy.

Frequent cyclic variation of heart rate is associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients without ischemia.

BackgroundCyclic variation of heart rate (CVHR) associated with sleep‐disordered breathing reflects cardiac autonomic responses to apneic/hypoxic stress. However, the association of CVHR with cardiac function is unclear.MethodsWe investigated a total of 181 patients who underwent both 24‐hour Holter electrocardiography (ECG) and quantitative gated single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial functional imaging, excluding patients with atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, structural heart disease, and implantable devices, from January 2017 to July 2018. The number of CVHR per hour (CVHR index) in sleeping‐time Holter ECG was compared with the parameters of left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic functions assessed by cardiac SPECT functional imaging, peak filling rate (PFR), first‐third mean filling rate (1/3 MFR), and time to peak filling rate (TTPF).ResultsIn all patients, the CVHR index was not associated with any parameters of cardiac functions. However, in a propensity score–matched subgroup of patients without ischemia (N = 39), the CVHR index was negatively correlated with PFR (r = −0.35, P < .05) and 1/3 MFR (r = −0.37, P < .05) but positively correlated with TTPF (r = 0.43, P < .01) and was not correlated with LV ejection fraction. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that high CVHR index was independently associated with LV diastolic dysfunction, even after adjusting for the relative wall thickness and LV mass index assessed by echocardiography.ConclusionThese results indicate that the high frequency of CVHR in sleeping time is associated with LV diastolic dysfunction in nonischemic patients, irrespective of LV geometry.

Spectrum of desmosomal gene variations in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a hereditary myocardial disease with a high risk of sudden cardiac death. The most common genetic forms of the disease are associated with desmosomal gene mutations.Aim. To study the prevalence of desmosomal forms of ARVC and to analyze variations in the PKP2, DSG2, DSP, DSC2 and JUP genes in a sample of Russian patients with ARVC.Material and methods. Included patients with ARVC underwent resting electrocardiography (ECG), 24-hour Holter ECG monitoring, echocardiography, chest x-ray, myocardial biopsy (if indicated), contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. All patients underwent medical genetic counseling. Mutations in the PKP2, DSG2, DSP, DSC2, and JUP genes was detected using highthroughput sequencing on the IonTorrent platform, followed by Sanger sequencing of uncovered gene regions. The pathogenicity of identified genetic variations was assessed according to modern guidelines.Results. ARVC was established in 80 Russian unrelated patients. More than half of the probands (57%) in the study sample had definite diagnosis of ARVC, while 30% and 13% — borderline and possible ARVC, respectively. A positive family history of heart disease and/or SCD was noted in 30%. Genetic variants of pathogenicity class IV-V were detected in 15 (18,75%) probands in the PKP2, DSG2, DSP genes. The detection of genetic variants of pathogenicity class IV-V was different in the subgroups of patients with varying degrees of diagnosis reliability: 13 probands (28,3%) in the subgroup with definite ARVC and 2 probands (8,3%) in the subgroup with borderline ARVC. No genotype-positive probands were found in the subgroup with possible ARVC. Variations of unknown clinical significance were found in 13 (16,25%) probands.Conclusion. The diagnostic yield of the desmosomal genes PKP2, DSG2, DSP, DSC2, and JUP was 19% with initial diagnosis of ARVC. The detection of mutations was significantly higher in patients with definite ARVC and severe disease manifestations.

Decreased continuous sitting time increases heart rate variability in patients with cardiovascular risk factors.

The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the relationship between high-frequency heart rate variability (HF HRV) and continuous daytime sitting time in patients with cardiovascular risk factors such as mild hypertension and/or stable angina pectoris. Decreased HF HRV precedes the progression and worsening of cardiovascular diseases. Continuous sitting behavior is a major risk factor for developing metabolic syndrome and is associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, renal failure, sarcopenia and osteoporosis. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease can be affected by continuous daytime sitting behaviors. The present study design was a post-hoc comparison. Patients treated at two different primary care clinics from 2014 to 2018 were enrolled in this study (n = 53). We assessed HF HRV and continuous sitting time using 24-hour Holter electrocardiography and an activity meter at baseline and 6 months. HF HRV was calculated during sleep. Sitting time had decreased in 22 patients (decreased group) and increased in 31 patients (increased group) after 6 months. The mean patient ages were 73.1 and 72.0 years in the decreased and increased sitting time groups, respectively (p = 0.503). HF HRV during sleep had increased after 6 months in the decreased sitting time group. Compared with the increased group, the decreased group showed significantly higher HF HRV during sleep after 6 months by two-way repeated-measures ANOVA after adjustment for age, sex and change in activity (p = 0.045). These results suggest that a decrease in sitting time might induce parasympathetic activity during sleep. Therefore, reducing continuous sitting time during the day might contribute, in part, to improving the prognosis of patients with cardiovascular risk factors not only by avoiding muscle loss but also by providing positive influences on parasympathetic tone during sleep.

Assessment of Heart Rate Variability in Children with Cancer after Elevated Cumulative Anthracycline Dose: A Prospective Study

Objective: Anthracyclines which are the main drug of chemotherapy protocols had cardiotoxicity as the most frequent and well-known side effect. We aimed to evaluate prospectively the heart rate variability with 24-hour Holter electrocardiography (ECG) in children with cancer who treated with anthracycline drugs. Material and Methods: The 24-hour Holter ECG monitoring was performed at the baseline, at time of 120 mg/m 2 and ≥240 mg/m 2 of cumulative anthracycline dose in patients with cancer who treated with anthracycline. The time-domain and frequency-domain measurements of heart rate variability (HRV) were obtained. The patients were classified into three groups as Group1:at baseline (n=54), Group 2:≥120mg/m 2 (n=54), Group 3:≥240mg/m 2 (n=54). Results: The median age was 48 months (range 9-192 months). All types of cancer were 38 patients (70.4%) of acute leukemia, two patients (3.8%) of T lymphoblastic lymphoma, and 14patients (25.8%) of other childhood cancer who treated with anthracycline. However, all heart rate variability parameters were decreased after each increased cumulative anthracycline dose, especially time-domain parameters such as nSDNN index, rMSSD, pNN50, frequency parameters such as LF, HF, and Total power were significantly altered among Group1 and Group 3. LF/HF ratio was also statistically significantly increased in Group 3. According the heart rate parameters, the mean average heart rate, mean minimum heart rate and mean RR were statistically significantly prolonged from Group1 to Group 3. Conclusion: Heart rate variability parameters are a noninvasive technique to demonstrate cardiac autonomic neural dysfunction and early myocardial injury. The 24-hour Holter ECG may be used for detecting early cardiac dysautonomia effect during anthracycline treatment with each elevated 120mg/m 2 anthracycline of cumulative dose.

Examination of Electrocardiography and 24-Hour Holter Electrocardiography Data of Children Presenting With the Complaint of Palpitation.

Examination of Electrocardiography and 24-Hour Holter Electrocardiography Data of Children Presenting With the Complaint of Palpitation.

Evaluation of heart rate variability using 24-hour Holter electrocardiography in hypertensive patients.

BackgroundHypertension (HTN) remains a serious risk factor for cardiovascular mortality across the world. Hypertensive state has been shown to be associated with autonomic nervous function. This study aimed to explore the association between autonomic nervous impairment assessed by heart rate variability (HRV) and HTN.MethodsA total of 52 hypertensive and 55 non‐hypertensive patients were consecutively studied using 24‐hour Holter. The hypertensive patients were grouped into controlled blood pressure (BP) and uncontrolled BP. This study compared HRV in non‐hypertensive and hypertensive patients; and hypertensive patients with controlled and uncontrolled BP. HRV parameters include time and frequency domain.ResultsMean age for hypertensive and non‐hypertensive patients were 53.58 ± 14.31 and 44.89 ± 16.63 years old, respectively. Median (IQR) SDNN for hypertensive and non‐hypertensive group were 109.00 (90.00‐145.00) and 129.00 (107.00‐169.00), respectively. SDNN, ASDNN, rMSSD, pNN50, BB50, VLF, and HF values were significantly lower in the hypertensive group compared to non‐hypertensive group (all P < .05). A multiple regression analysis showed that HRV parameters: SDANN, ASDNN, rMSSD, and LF values were independent risk factors of HTN. SDNN, SDANN, ASDNN, VLF, LF, and HF values were significantly lower in the uncontrolled BP compared to controlled BP group (all P < .05). A multiple regression analysis showed that HRV parameters: SDNN, SDANN, rMSSD, and HF values were independent risk factors of uncontrolled BP in hypertensive patients.ConclusionsOur study showed that cardiac autonomic nervous impairment, as demonstrated by reduced HRV, is significantly associated with HTN. Decreased HRV was more evident in uncontrolled BP than in controlled BP group.

Nonlinear relationship between serum total bilirubin levels and initial ischemic stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the relationship between total bilirubin levels and initial ischemic stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.MethodsThis was a retrospective study. Atrial fibrillation was diagnosed by 24-hour Holter electrocardiography and serum total bilirubin levels were divided into quintiles. Ischemic stroke was diagnosed by symptoms, signs, and a medical image examination. The multivariate Cox proportional hazards model and survival analysis were used to estimate the association of total bilirubin with initial ischemic stroke.ResultsWe studied 316 patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. During follow-up, there were 42 (13.29%) first ischemic strokes. After multivariate adjustment, for each 1 µmol/L increase in total bilirubin, the risk of first ischemic stroke increased by 4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01, 1.07). When using the first quintile as the reference, from the second to fifth quintiles, the risks of first ischemic stroke were 0.52 (95% CI: 0.17, 1.65), 0.23 (95% CI: 0.06, 0.87), 0.92 (95% CI: 0.32, 2.67), and 1.33 (95% CI: 1.09, 4.41), respectively. The optimal cut-off point of total bilirubin for the lowest risk of ischemic stroke was 17.0 µmol/L.ConclusionsTotal bilirubin levels are nonlinearly associated with initial ischemic stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Heart Rate Variability in a Patient with Coronavirus Disease 2019

This case study investigates the heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) in a patient with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We report the case of a 58-year old male who contracted COVID-19. During his disease, 24-hour Holter electrocardiography (ECG) was performed continuously. For comparison, his 24-hour Holter ECGs from the previous 10 years were available. In this patient, COVID-19 was associated with a decrease in HR and a paradoxical decline in HRV. An abrupt decline in HRV and a decrease in HR may signal the onset of COVID-19 before common symptoms such as dry cough or fever appear. In addition, HRV and HR measurements may help to evaluate the course of the disease.