Usefulness of ambulatory ECG monitoring for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in patients presenting with palpitation

Abstract

In this study, the focus was on exploring the prevalence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) among patients presenting with palpitations, utilizing the method of 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring. The research encompassed 248 participants, predominantly comprising females (75.8%), with an average age of 52.18 years, most of whom fell within the 50 - 59 age bracket. Prior to medical examination, the duration of palpitations ranged from 1 to 3 months for the majority of patients. The study's findings unveiled that 4.84% of the patients exhibited atrial fibrillation, while 1.61% showcased atrial flutter. Interestingly, the youngest individual diagnosed with AF was merely 43 years old. The investigation further delved into factors associated with a heightened prevalence of atrial fibrillation. Notably, advancing age was correlated with an increased risk of AF (odds ratio [OR] 1.064, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.015 - 1.115, p < 0.005), along with the presence of valvular heart disease (OR 19.00, 95% CI 4.23 - 85.37, p < 0.005) and other structural heart diseases (OR 12.56, 95% CI 3.12 - 50.51, p < 0.005). This study underscores the significance of 24-hour ambulatory ECG monitoring in detecting a higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation compared to standard ECG testing. Additionally, it emphasizes the pivotal role of this monitoring technique in AF detection, particularly among older patients presenting with valvular or structural heart diseases, thus highlighting the importance of timely and accurate diagnosis in enhancing patient care and outcomes.