[Evaluation of ambulatory electrocardiography technologies for the diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmia]

Bussières S, Tremblay C, Lacasse Y
Record ID 32018005136
French
Original Title: Évaluation des technologies d’électrocardiographie ambulatoire pour le diagnostic d’arythmies cardiaques
Authors' objectives: Ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring is an option to consider for the evaluation of a suspected arrhythmia in a patient. The Quebec Heart and Lung Institute – Laval University (Institute) requested that the Health Technology Assessment Unit (HTAU) evaluate the relevance of improving access to long-term continuous ambulatory electrocardiography monitors for the management of patients with a suspected cardiac arrhythmia. The indications, efficacy, and budget impacts of using long-term continuous ambulatory electrocardiography monitors were assessed.
Authors' results and conclusions: Evidence suggests that long-term ambulatory cardiac monitoring was indicated for the evaluation of syncope, recurrent palpitations with a suspected cardiac cause not occurring every day, patients at high risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF), and those who have suffered a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Indications for device selection are based primarily on the nature and frequency of symptoms. However, we were unable to determine the efficacy of particular devices nor the optimal duration of monitoring.
Authors' recommendations: This analysis led to the recommendation that the Institute resort to long-term ambulatory electrocardiography monitors for patients suffering from syncope, palpitations that do not occur every day, for those at high risk of developing AF, and those who had a CVA or a TIA. It is also suggested that the Institute consider other parameters pertaining to the impacts the device may have on the organization and the volume of work required for the personnel, on factors related to patient experience, and on the budget, in their decision-making process when selecting a particular ambulatory electrocardiography technology.
Details
Project Status: Completed
Year Published: 2018
English language abstract: There is no English language summary available
Publication Type: Rapid Review
Country: Canada
Province: Quebec
MeSH Terms
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac
  • Atrial Fibrillation
  • Electrocardiography, Ambulatory
  • Monitoring, Ambulatory
Contact
Organisation Name: Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec – Université Laval (IUCPQ-ULaval)
Contact Address: 2725, chemin Sainte-Foy Québec QC G1V 4G5
Contact Name: uetmis.iucpq@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
Contact Email: uetmis.iucpq@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
Copyright: Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec - Université Laval
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.