Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial Fibrillation (R.Test Evolution, X-Olter series, Vista series)
CLINICAL CONTEXT
Atrial
Fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac rhythm disturbance. Its
prevalence increases with age to be more than 6% in the general population over
80. The Framingham Heart prospective study showed that the prevalence of AF in
case of patent stroke reached 36.2% of the population over 80.
The chief hazard of AF is STROKE. The risk of stroke among patients with AF
averages 5% per year, depending on the population and the associated risk
factors (age, hypertension, CHF, diabetes, …). The risk can rise up to 12% per
year when these risk factors are cumulated.
The major issues in management of patients with AF are related not only to the
arrhythmia itself to ensure that ventricular function is controlled, but also
to prevention of thromboembolic events such as stroke. Data from trials on the
efficacy of stroke prevention show that the mean risk reduction with Aspirin is
approximatively 20%, while oral vitamin K antagonist reduces the rate of
ischaemic stroke by 70% compared to that in untreated patient.
The diagnosis of AF requires ECG documentation by at least one-lead ECG
recording during the dysrhythmia. In case of frequent episodes of paroxysmal
AF, a 24h Holter monitor can be used. If episodes are rare, then long-term Holter
ECG or Automatic ECG event recorder is required. A recorder with an automatic recording capability is a key feature since AF is frequently asymptomatic. It helps to avoid inconsistent use of a patient triggering function, especially in the elderly or infirm.
Novacor proposes 2 EXCLUSIVE solutions that both represent a major advance in
paroxysmal atrial fibrillation diagnostic:
- HolterSoft Ultima, the first Holter software featuring an AUTOMATIC detection
of AF episodes, fully compatible with all Novacor Holter ECG recorders. The detection algorithm relies on the RR
analysis combining wavelet transform and fractal analysis.
R.Test Evolution , the ONLY automatic ECG event recorder marketed today: up to 32 day recording, fully automatic, entirely programmable thus allowing the use of
a program dedicated to capture events related to AF (SV events, relative
pauses, …). The superiority of the R.Test Evolution to 24h Holter has been
established through many publications in peer-reviewed journals.
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