Smartphone ECG accurately detects baseline intervals, atrial rate, and rhythm and enables screening in diverse populations. Efficient ECG analysis using automated discrimination and an enhanced smartphone application with notification capabilities are features that can be easily incorporated into the acquisition process.
Cardiac electrophysiologic derangements often coexist with disorders of the circulatory system. Capturing and diagnosing arrhythmias and conduction system disease may lead to a change in diagnosis, clinical management and patient outcomes. Standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), Holter monitors and event recorders have served as useful diagnostic tools over the last few decades. However, their shortcomings are only recently being addressed by emerging technologies. With advances in device miniaturization and wireless technologies, and changing consumer expectations, wearable “on-body” ECG patch devices have evolved to meet contemporary needs. These devices are unobtrusive and easy to use, leading to increased device wear time and diagnostic yield. While becoming the standard for detecting arrhythmias and conduction system disorders in the outpatient setting where continuous ECG monitoring in the short to medium term (days to weeks) is indicated, these cardiac devices and related digital mobile health technologies are reshaping the clinician-patient interface with important implications for future healthcare delivery.
Background-Intravenous amiodarone and procainamide are both used as therapies for refractory supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). However, no studies have compared the efficacy and safety of these agents in pediatric patients. Methods and Results-All patients treated with intravenous amiodarone or procainamide during 25 consecutive months for the following mechanisms of SVT were included: orthodromic reciprocating tachycardia, intra-atrial reentrant tachycardia, and ectopic atrial tachycardia; junctional ectopic tachycardia was excluded. Treatment response was categorized as full success, partial success, or failure. Partial success was defined as clinical improvement and/or arrhythmia control but not meeting full success criteria. Adverse events were classified as major (requiring resuscitation) or minor (management changes). There were 40 episodes of SVT in 37 patients (median age, 34 days; 24 with congenital heart disease). Amiodarone was the initial therapy in 26 cases and procainamide in 14 cases. If partial and full success are combined, procainamide was successful in 71% of cases compared with 34% for amiodarone (Pϭ0.046). If partial success is considered a treatment failure, procainamide was successful in 50% compared with 15% for amiodarone (Pϭ0.029). Ten patients received the second medication after the first failed. Success was achieved in 5 of 8 amiodarone-to-procainamide crossovers compared with 1 of 2 procainamide-to-amiodarone crossovers. One major and 10 minor adverse events occurred in amiodarone patients versus 6 minor adverse events in procainamide patients (PϭNS). Conclusions-In this cohort, procainamide achieved greater success compared with amiodarone in the management of recurrent SVT without statistically significant differences in adverse event frequency. (Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol.
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