Search

The usefulness of opportunistic arrhythmia screening strategies, using an electrocardiogram (ECG) or other methods for random "snapshot" assessments is limited by the unexpected and occasional nature of arrhythmias, leading to a high rate of missed diagnosis. We have previously validated a cardiac monitoring system for AF detection pairing simple consumer-grade Bluetooth low-energy (BLE) heart rate (HR) sensors with a smartphone application (RITMIA™, Heart Sentinel srl, Italy). In the current study, we test a significant upgrade to the above-mentioned system, thanks to the technical capability of new HR sensors to run algorithms on the sensor itself and to acquire, and store on-board, single-lead ECG strips. We have reprogrammed an HR monitor intended for sports use (Movensense HR+) to run our proprietary RITMIA algorithm code in real-time, based on RR analysis, so that if any type of arrhythmia is detected, it triggers a brief retrospective recording of a single-lead ECG, providing tracings of the specific arrhythmia for later consultation. We report the initial data on the behavior, feasibility, and high diagnostic accuracy of this ultra-low weight customized device for standalone automatic arrhythmia detection and ECG recording, when several types of arrhythmias were simulated under different baseline conditions. Conclusions: The customized device was capable of detecting all types of simulated arrhythmias and correctly triggered a visually interpretable ECG tracing. Future human studies are needed to address real-life accuracy of this device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims of the Study: The study aim was to evaluate the operative risks of reoperation on heart valve prostheses., Methods: Between January 1985 and December 2000, 154 patients (79 males, 75 females, mean age 61.2+/-9.5 years) underwent cardiac valve reoperation for which indications were prosthetic failure (n = 133; prosthetic mitro-aortic dysfunction occurred in 16 cases), native valve disease in patients with a previous prosthetic valve implantation (n = 12), and both situations concomitantly (n = 9). Total valve replacements numbered 161 (64 in the aortic position, 96 in the mitral position, and one in the tricuspid position). There were 18 valve repairs (eight in the mitral position, 10 in the aortic position). One patient underwent prosthesis thrombectomy (mechanical valve)., Results: Overall operative mortality was 8.4% (n = 13); emergency operation (p <0.002), advanced NYHA class (p <0.026), indication for reoperation (p <0.026), gender (p <0.016) and number of previous reoperations (p = 0.05) were independent determinants for reoperation. Non-significant determinants were age and position of replacement., Conclusion: Correct planning of reoperation timing reduces operative risks due to NYHA class (3.8% mortality rate for class II-III versus 21.7% for class IV), and to urgent-emergency procedures (35.7% mortality versus 6.5% for elective operations). The high operative risk of prosthesis thrombosis is a deterrent to implanting mechanical prostheses in patients with disorders of hemostasis.