Factors affecting electrogram sensing in an insertable cardiac monitor: Insights from surface electrocardiogram mapping analysis.

BACKGROUND: Fidelity of electrogram sensing may reduce false alerts from an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of vector length, implant angle, and patient factors on electrogram sensing using surface electrocardiogram (ECG) mapping. METHODS: Twelve separate precordial single-lead surface ECGs were acquired from 150 participants at 2 interelectrode distances (75 and 45 mm), at 3 vector angles (vertical, oblique, and horizontal), and in 2 postures (upright and supine). A subset of 50 patients also received a clinically indicated ICM implant in 1:1 ratio (Reveal LINQ [Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN]/BIOMONITOR III [Biotronik, Berlin, Germany]). All ECGs and ICM electrograms were analyzed by blinded investigators using DigitizeIt software (V2.3.3, Braunschweig, Germany). The P-wave visibility threshold was set at > 0.015 mV. Logistic regression was used to identify factors affecting P-wave amplitude. RESULTS: A total of 1800 tracings from 150 participants (44.5% [n = 68] female; median age 59 [35-73] years) were assessed. The median P- and R-wave amplitudes were 45% and 53% larger with vector lengths of 75 and 45 mm, respectively (P < .001 for both). The oblique orientation yielded the best P- and R-wave amplitudes, while posture change did not affect P-wave amplitude. Mixed effects modeling found that visible P-waves occur more frequently with a vector length of 75 mm than with 45 mm (86% vs 75%, respectively; P < .0001). A longer vector length improved both P-wave amplitude and visibility in all body mass index categories. There was a moderate correlation of P- and R-wave amplitudes from the ICM electrograms to those from surface ECG recordings (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.74 and 0.80, respectively). CONCLUSION: Longer vector length and oblique implant angle yielded the best electrogram sensing and are relevant considerations for ICM implantation procedures.

Relato de experiência multiprofissional com grupo de gestantes de alto-risco / Report on a multiprofessional experience with a group of high-risk pregnant women / Relato de experiencia multiprofesional con un grupo de gestantes de alto riesgo

Introdução: A gestação é um período onde as atitudes e escolhas da mãe irão refletir no crescimento e desenvolvimento do bebê, por isso as ações educativas e promocionais da saúde são fundamentais. Essas ações, desenvolvidas por uma equipe multiprofissional, são ainda mais eficientes, por ter uma diversidade maior de informações para a gestante. Objetivo: Descrever a experiência multiprofissional de ações de promoção da saúde com gestantes de alto risco e seus acompanhantes. Métodos: Trata-se de um relato de experiência que contempla encontros realizados semanalmente em um Hospital Universitário, no setor de alojamento conjunto, que comporta quatro leitos para gestantes de alto risco. Os momentos dialógicos ocorreram em rodas de conversa, com as gestantes e acompanhantes, discentes e docentes de fonoaudiologia e enfermeiros da equipe local. Foram desenvolvidos materiais informativos para os participantes e um pôster que permaneceu disponível ao público no setor. Resultados: Notou-se que os participantes se apresentaram receptivos e interessados nos assuntos da roda de conversa propostos, que foram gradativamente trabalhados, cada um contribuindo com suas vivências, bem como com suas dúvidas e questionamentos. Conclusão: O trabalho multiprofissional gerou reflexões sobre a amamentação e o sistema estomatognático, expandindo o diálogo sobre outros temas de abordagem fonoaudiológica. Ações promotoras da saúde podem empoderar os participantes para intervir como agentes na compreensão das necessidades de saúde, como o cuidado com o binômio mãe-bebê.

Introduction: The mother's attitudes and choices during pregnancy reflect on the baby's growth and development, which makes it essential to have educational and health promotion actions. When developed by a multiprofessional team, such actions are even more efficient, as they have a greater diversity of information for pregnant women. Objective: To describe the multiprofessional experience of health promotion actions with high-risk pregnant women and their companions. Methods: This is an experience report of meetings held weekly in the rooming-in ward of a university hospital, in which four beds are available to high-risk pregnant women. Conversation groups were organized with pregnant women and their companions, speech-language-hearing students and professors, and the hospital's nurses. Informational material was developed for the participants, as well as a poster exposed to the public in the rooming-in ward. Results: Participants were receptive to and interested in the conversation group topics, which were gradually developed as each one shared their experiences and questions. Conclusion: The multiprofessional work led to reflections on breastfeeding and the stomatognathic system, expanding the dialog about other speech-language-hearing topics. Health-promotion actions empower participants to actively contribute to their understanding of health needs, such as mother/baby care.

Introducción: El embarazo es un período en el que las actitudes y elecciones de la madre se reflejarán en el crecimiento y desarrollo del bebé, por lo que las acciones educativas y promocionales de la salud son fundamentales. Estas acciones, desarrolladas por un equipo multiprofesional, son aún más eficientes, ya que cuentan con una mayor diversidad de información para la gestante. Objetivo: Describir la experiencia multiprofesional de acciones de promoción de la salud con gestantes de alto riesgo y sus acompañantes. Métodos: Se trata de un relato de experiencia que incluye reuniones que se realizan semanalmente en un Hospital Universitario, en el sector de alojamiento conjunto, que comprende cuatro camas para gestantes de alto riesgo. Los momentos dialógicos se desarrollaron en círculos de conversación, con gestantes y acompañantes, estudiantes y profesores de logopedia y enfermeras del equipo. Se desarrollaron materiales informativos para los participantes y una pancarta que quedó a disposición del público del sector. Resultados: Se notó que los participantes se mostraron receptivos e interesados en los temas del círculo de conversación propuesto, los cuales se fueron trabajando paulatinamente, cada uno aportando con sus vivencias, así como con sus dudas y preguntas. Conclusión: El trabajo multiprofesional generó reflexiones sobre la lactancia materna y el sistema estomatognático, ampliando el diálogo sobre otros temas. Las acciones de promoción de la salud pueden empoderar a los participantes para que intervengan como agentes en la comprensión de las necesidades de salud, como el cuidado del binomio madre-bebé.

Medullary Astrogliosis in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Varies With Sleeping Environment: Evidence for Different Mechanisms of Death in Alone Versus Co-sleepers?

Sudden infant death syndrome remains the leading cause of death in infants under 1 year, and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are poorly understood. The current study investigated the hypothesis that co-sleepers die more rapidly from causes such as suffocation from overlaying by comparing levels of reactive astrogliosis in the medulla of infants who died sleeping alone to those who died co-sleeping. The amount of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) staining in alone sleepers was significantly higher than shared sleepers in 3 specific areas of the medulla, the inferior vestibular nucleus, the medial vestibular nucleus and the cochlear nucleus. Given that glial fibrillary acidic protein elevations follow a delayed time course, this suggests that death in co-sleepers was more rapid, not allowing for reactive gliosis to occur. This provides evidence of pathological differences in mechanisms of death in infants who are classified as having died from sudden infant death syndrome, suggesting potential need for refinement of categorization of these cases.

Evolution and significance of the triple risk model in sudden infant death syndrome.

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is a leading cause of death in infants, although the mechanisms leading to death remain unclear. Multiple theories have emerged over time, with one of the most influential hypotheses being the triple risk model. This model, first devised in 1972 and later revised in 1994 by Filiano and Kinney, is still widely used in assisting with conceptualising and understanding sudden death in infancy. This model has evolved over time, with each version stressing that SIDS is likely to occur when certain risk factors coincide, suggesting that the lethal mechanisms in SIDS are likely to be multifactorial. All versions of the triple risk model from 1972 to the present have emphasised the complexity of SIDS and serve as useful guides for current and future research into the enigma of sudden and unexpected death in infancy.