Effectiveness of implantable loop recorder and Holter electrocardiographic monitoring for the detection of arrhythmias in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy.

backgroundPatients with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) are at increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). However, the exact underlying mechanisms of SCD in PPCM remain unknown. By means of extended electrocardiographic monitoring, we aimed to systematically characterize the burden of arrhythmias occurring in patients with newly diagnosed PPCM. METHODS AND

resultsTwenty-five consecutive women with PPCM were included in this single-centre, prospective clinical trial and randomised to receiving either 24 h-Holter ECG monitoring followed by implantable loop recorder implantation (ILR; REVEAL XT, Medtronic

conclusionsWe found a high prevalence of potentially life-threatening arrhythmic events in patients with newly diagnosed PPCM. These included both brady- and tachyarrhythmias. Our results highlight the importance of extended electrocardiographic monitoring, especially in those with severely impaired LV systolic function. In this regard, ILR in addition to 24 h-Holter monitoring had a higher yield of VAs as compared to 24 h-Holter monitoring alone. In settings where WCDs are not readily available, ILR monitoring should be considered in patients with severely impaired LV systolic dysfunction, especially after uneventful 24 h-Holter monitoring.

trial registrationPan African Clinical Trials Registry: PACTR202104866174807. Extended electrocardiographic monitoring for the detection of arrhythmias in PPCM. (CHB, complete heart block/third degree AV block; ECG, electrocardiogram; ILR, implantable loop recorder; NSVT, non-sustained ventricular tachycardia; PPCM, peripartum cardiomyopathy).