SNRS Exemplar: Podium (paper) and symposium

Title:The Utility of Ambulatory Electrocardiographic Monitoring for Detecting Arrhythmias in anUrban Elderly Population with Heart Failure.

Background: Atrial and ventriclar tachyarrhythmias, as well as bradyarrhythmias, in the

elderly with heart failure (HF) and/or hypertension (HTN) have been well documented. However, inpatients 65 years or older, living in the community with HF and other cardiovascular risk factors the frequency of these arrhythmias, whether silent or symptomatic, and their association withsubsequent cardiac events has not been well defined.

Aims: To assess the value of 2 weeks of remote cardiacmonitoring for detecting arrhythmias in anelderly population living with HF.

Methods: The study population consisted of 53 patients with a history of systolic HF and/or HTN whoconsented to wear, an auto triggered cardiac loop monitor that captures EKG dataand both silent andsymptomatic arrhythmias..

Results: Subjects averaged 73 ± 6 years with 60% females, 74% Hispanic,23% black, and 4% white/other. All patients had HF and 94% had HTN. From the cardiac monitoring, 72% demonstrated ectopic atrial and ventricular activity. In addition, 1paroxysmal episode of atrial fibrillation (AF) was documented,3 people had significant non-sustained ventriculartachycardiaand 4 individuals had severe bradycardia recorded on external cardiac monitoring. These 7 individuals underwent placement of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator or pacemakers based on these finding.During follow-up 16 patients (30%) had significant cardiac events.

Conclusion: A substantial proportion of patients exhibited cardiac arrhythmias. Future morbidity was prevented because of the detection of arrhythmias on monitoring that led to specific therapies such as pacemaker or ICD implantation which otherwise would not have been implemented.

Authors: Kathleen T. Hickey, EdD, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, James Reiffel, MD, Robert R. Sciacca, EngScD, Angelo Biviano, MD, MPH, William Whang, MD, MS Maurita Baumeister, ANP-BC

Carmen Castillo, Jyothi Talathothi, B.A.M.S, and Hasan Garan, MD, MS

Author:Kathleen T. Hickey, EdD, ANP-BC, FNP-BC

SNRS member number and status: nonmember at time of submission

Institutional Affiliation:Columbia University School of Nursing, NY

Position title: Assistant Professor of Nursing

Disclosures:None

Co-author:James Reiffel, MD

Institutional Affiliation:The College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University,NY

Position title:Professor of Clinical Medicine

Disclosures:None

Co-author:Robert R. Sciacca, EngScD,

Institutional Affiliation:The College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University,NY

Position title:Research Scientist

Disclosures:None

Co-author:, Angelo Biviano, MD, MPH

Institutional Affiliation:The College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University,NY

Position title:Assistant Professor of Medicine

Disclosures: None

Co-author:William Whang, MD, MS

Institutional Affiliation:The College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University,NY

Position title:Assistant Professor of Medicine

Disclosures: None

Co-author:Maurita Baumeister, ANP-BC

Institutional Affiliation:Columbia University School of Nursing, NY

Position title: Acute CareNurse Practitioner

Disclosures: None

Co-author:Carmen Castillo,

Institutional Affiliation:Columbia University School of Nursing, NY

Position title: Research Coordinator

Disclosures: None

Co-author:Jyothi Talathothi, B.A.M.S,

Institutional Affiliation:Columbia University School of Nursing, NY

Position title: Research Assistant

Disclosures: None

Co-author:Hasan Garan, MD, MS

Institutional Affiliation:The College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University,NY

Position title:Director of Clinical Electrophysiology

Dsclosures: None