Handheld ECG in analysis of arrhythmia and heart rate variability in children with Fontan circulation

• Background: Our aim was to evaluate the intermittent use of a handheld ECG system for detecting silent arrhythmias and cardiac autonomic dysfunction in children with univentricular hearts. Methods: Twenty-seven patients performed intermittent ECG recordings with handheld devices during a 14-day period. A manual arrhythmia analysis was performed. We analyzed heart rate variability (HRV) using scatter plots of all interbeat intervals (Poincare plots) from the total observation period. Reference values of HRV indices were determined from Holter-ECGs in 41 healthy children. Results: One asymptomatic patient had frequent ventricular extra systoles. Another patient had episodes with supraventricular tachycardia (with concomitant palpitations). Seven patients showed reduced HRV. Conclusions: Asymptomatic arrhythmia was detected in one patient. The proposed method for pooling of intermittent recordings from handheld or similar devices may be used for detection of arrhythmias as well as for cardiac autonomic dysfunction.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kardiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Handheld ECG

Arrhythmia

Heart rate variability

Fontan circulation

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)