1. Factors affecting electrogram sensing in an insertable cardiac monitor: Insights from surface electrocardiogram mapping analysis.
- Author
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Pitman BM, Zanker A, Lim M, McLoughney J, Spinelli J, Tarone R, McInnes K, Heath KM, Gieve M, Evans S, Young GD, Roberts-Thomson KC, Wong CX, Sanders P, and Lau DH
- Subjects
- Humans, Female, Middle Aged, Prostheses and Implants, Software, Germany, Electrocardiography, Ambulatory methods, Electrocardiography methods
- Abstract
Background: Fidelity of electrogram sensing may reduce false alerts from an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM)., Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of vector length, implant angle, and patient factors on electrogram sensing using surface electrocardiogram (ECG) mapping., Methods: Twelve separate precordial single-lead surface ECGs were acquired from 150 participants at 2 interelectrode distances (75 and 45 mm), at 3 vector angles (vertical, oblique, and horizontal), and in 2 postures (upright and supine). A subset of 50 patients also received a clinically indicated ICM implant in 1:1 ratio (Reveal LINQ [Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN]/BIOMONITOR III [Biotronik, Berlin, Germany]). All ECGs and ICM electrograms were analyzed by blinded investigators using DigitizeIt software (V2.3.3, Braunschweig, Germany). The P-wave visibility threshold was set at > 0.015 mV. Logistic regression was used to identify factors affecting P-wave amplitude., Results: A total of 1800 tracings from 150 participants (44.5% [n = 68] female; median age 59 [35-73] years) were assessed. The median P- and R-wave amplitudes were 45% and 53% larger with vector lengths of 75 and 45 mm, respectively (P < .001 for both). The oblique orientation yielded the best P- and R-wave amplitudes, while posture change did not affect P-wave amplitude. Mixed effects modeling found that visible P-waves occur more frequently with a vector length of 75 mm than with 45 mm (86% vs 75%, respectively; P < .0001). A longer vector length improved both P-wave amplitude and visibility in all body mass index categories. There was a moderate correlation of P- and R-wave amplitudes from the ICM electrograms to those from surface ECG recordings (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.74 and 0.80, respectively)., Conclusion: Longer vector length and oblique implant angle yielded the best electrogram sensing and are relevant considerations for ICM implantation procedures., (Copyright © 2023 Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2023
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