OBJECTIVE

The timely diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with cardiac embolism with implantable loop recorders (ILR).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty-nine patients, hospitalized within 6 months after stroke (n=19) or transient ischemic attack (n=10), were included in the study. ILR were implanted in all cases. The mean time of follow-up was one year.

RESULTS

Five hundred and thirteen transmissions were detected during the whole follow-up period. Symptomatic episodes were recorded in 165 cases. Such episodes as bradycardia, asystole, AF, atrial tachycardia and ventricular tachycardia were recorded in 98 cases out of 348 planned transmissions. All transmissions were analyzed by an operator. However, 70 cases were false-positive because of ILR over-sensing. In total, arrhythmias were detected in 5 patients, including sick sinus syndrome (1), supraventricular tachycardia (1), ventricular tachycardia (1) and atrial fibrillation (3). Anticoagulant therapy was started immediately after the diagnosis of AF.

CONCLUSION

Loop recording monitoring is an effective strategy in patients with cardiac embolism for timely diagnosis and further treatment of arrhythmia.