Ambulatory arrhythmia monitoring in pregnant patients with palpitations. Am J Perinatol 2013 Jan;30(1):53-8
Date
07/21/2012Pubmed ID
22814871DOI
10.1055/s-0032-1321500Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84873570867 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 11 CitationsAbstract
UNLABELLED: OBJECTIVE To assess the frequency of rhythm disturbances (RDs) obtained following placement of a Holter monitor or an event loop recorder (ERT) in patients referred to cardiologists.
STUDY DESIGN: Ninety-six gravidas were referred to the cardiology clinic for palpitations, syncope, or dizziness and had Holter monitoring or ERT after a baseline electroencephalogram. Arrhythmias were classified by severity.
RESULTS: Gestational age at referral was 22.6 weeks ± 8.3 days. Sixty-five patients had ERTs performed, and 19 had Holter monitors. Seventy-six percent had benign arrhythmias. In our ERT cohort, history of arrhythmias showed a fourfold increase in serious RD during gestation (odds ratio [OR] 4.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1 to 20.3, p = 0.01); obesity (body mass index > 30) had a fourfold increased risk (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.0 to 1, p = 0.03). Serious RD did not result in greater chance of cesarean delivery or induction of labor, or a newborn with arrhythmias.
CONCLUSION: Most pregnant women with palpitations have benign arrhythmias. ERT appears to be a better method of diagnosis in pregnant women.
Author List
Cruz MO, Hibbard JU, Alexander T, Briller JAuthors
Meredith Cruz MD Associate Professor in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department at Medical College of WisconsinJudith Hibbard Professor in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultArrhythmias, Cardiac
Confidence Intervals
Electrocardiography, Ambulatory
Female
Gestational Age
Humans
Obesity
Odds Ratio
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular
Risk Factors
Severity of Illness Index
Young Adult
