Use of a noninvasive continuous monitoring device in the management of atrial fibrillation: A pilot study.
Yaw Adjei-Poku, MD
Device Clinic Medical Director at New Mexico Heart Institute
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Excerpt from:
Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology
Background
Outpatient ambulatory cardiac rhythm monitoring is a routine part of the management of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). Current systems are limited by patient convenience and practicality.
Methods
We compared the Zio patch, a single-use, noninvasive waterproof long-term continuous monitoring patch, with a 24-hour Holter monitor in 74 consecutive patients with paroxysmal AF referred for Holter monitoring for detection of arrhythmias.
Results
The Zio patch was well tolerated, with a mean monitoring period of 10.8 ± 2.8 days (range 4–14 days). Over a 24-hour period, there was excellent agreement between the Zio patch and Holter for identifying AF events and estimating AF burden. Although there was no difference in AF burden estimated by the Zio patch and the Holter monitor, AF events were identified in 18 additional individuals, and the documented pattern of AF (persistent or paroxysmal) changed in 21 patients after Zio patch monitoring. Other clinically relevant cardiac events recorded on the Zio patch after the first 24 hours of monitoring, including symptomatic ventricular pauses, prompted referrals for pacemaker placement or changes in medications. As a result of the findings from the Zio patch, 28.4% of patients had a change in their clinical management.
Conclusions
The Zio patch was well tolerated, and allowed significantly longer continuous monitoring than a Holter, resulting in an improvement in clinical accuracy, the detection of arrhythmias, and a meaningful change in clinical management. Further studies are necessary to examine the long-term impact of the use of the Zio patch in AF management.
The research reported in this article was supported by a restricted research grant from iRhythm Technologies, Inc.