Multi-day telemonitoring is the optimum control method in the medicational treatment of arrhythmias

Background. The use of antiarrhythmic (AA) drugs requires constant monitoring due to the risk of arrhythmic and side effects. It is impossible to quickly identify and respond to emerging adverse events using 24-hour monitoring of the electrocardiogram (ECG), due to the method technical features. The introduction into practice of multi-day telemonitoring (MTM) of ECG contributes to an increase in the detection of rare and asymptomatic arrhythmias, and improves control over the AA therapy effectiveness.

Objective. To study the possibilities and advantages of MTM in the selection of AA therapy and the prevention of its complications in patients with ventricular arrhythmias (VA).

Design and methods. The study included 73 patients with frequent symptomatic high-grade VA (44 women and 29 men) aged 28 to 86 years (56.6 ± 28.3 years), in whom MTM ECG was performed for the purpose of individual selection of AA therapy.

Results. In 19 % patients using MTM, the psychogenic nature of VA and a necessity to avoid prescribing was suspected. In 63 % patients with VA the optimal AA therapy in the minimum effective doses was selected using MTM, in 18 % patients the futility of drug therapy was proven and radiofrequency ablation was recommended.

Conclusion. MTM ECG is justified for the selecting AA therapy in patients with VA. MTM has undoubted advantages over daily monitoring and helps to reduce the time for AA agent choosing.

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