Abstract
Introduction – We aimed to assess changes in QTc over time following
cardioversion (CV) for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), and to
compare the benefit of using continuous Holter monitoring vs.
conventional follow-up. Methods – The study population comprised 90
patients admitted to our center for elective CV due to persistent AF who
were prospectively enrolled from July 2017 through August 2018. All
patients underwent 7-day Holter started prior to CV. Baseline QTc was
defined as median QTc during first hour post CV. The primary endpoint
was QTc prolongation defined as QTc ≥500ms, or ≥10% increase (if
baseline QTc was >480ms). Conventional monitoring was
defined as an ECG recording 2-hours post CV. McNemar test was used for
comparison. Results - Mean age was 67 ± 11 years and 61% were male.
Median baseline QTc was 452msec (IQ range: 431-479 msec) as compared
with a maximal median QTc of 474msec (IQ range: 433–527 msec;
p<0.001 for the change in QTc from baseline). Peak median QTc
occurred 44-hours post CV. The primary endpoint was met in 3 patients
(3%) using conventional monitoring, compared with 39 new patients
(43%) using Holter (p<0.001 for comparison). The Holter
monitoring was superior to conventional monitoring in detecting
clinically significant QTc prolongation (OR=13; p<0.001).
Conclusion – CV of patients with persistent AF may be associated with
increased transient risk of QTc prolongation. Peak median QTc occurs
during end of second day following CV and prolonged ECG monitoring
provides superior detection of significant QTc prolongation compared
with conventional monitoring