Validation of a novel single lead ambulatory ECG monitor - Cardiostat™ - Compared to a standard ECG Holter monitoring.

BACKGROUND: Cardiostat™ is a single lead ambulatory ECG monitor. Recording is made through 2 electrodes positioned in a lead 1-like configuration. We first validated its accuracy for atrial fibrillation detection compared to a 12-lead ECG. In the second phase of the study, arrhythmia detection accuracy was compared between Cardiostat™ ambulatory ECG and a standard 24 h Holter ECG monitoring. METHOD/RESULTS: Phase one of the study included patients undergoing cardioversion for atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter. Cardiostat™ tracings were compared with standard 12-lead ECG. In the second phase, patients undergoing 24 h ambulatory Holter ECG monitoring for control or suspicion of atrial fibrillation (AF) were included. Simultaneous Holter monitoring and Cardiostat™ ECG recordings were performed. Tracings were analysed and compared. Two hundred twelve monitoring were compared. AF was diagnosed in 73 patients. Agreement between Cardiostat™ ECG and standard Holter monitoring was 99% for AF detection with kappa = 0.99. Kappa correlation for atrial flutter detection was only moderate at 0.51. AF burden was similar in both recordings. Noise hindered analysis in a greater proportion with Cardiostat™ compared to Holter ambulatory ECG (8.5 vs 3.8%). CONCLUSION: Cardiostat™ ambulatory ECG device showed excellent correlation with the standard Holter ECG monitoring for AF detection. Holter monitoring was however superior to discriminate premature atrial and ventricular beats and to qualify the morphology of PVCs since it has more vectors for analysis. Added value of Cardiostat™ includes longer monitoring duration, less cumbersome installation and water resistance.

Maternal, placental and fetal exposure to bisphenol A in women with and without preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate potential association between the exposure of bisphenol A (BPA) and preeclampsia. METHODS: Concentrations of BPA were assessed in 58 pregnancies including 35 normotensive and 23 preeclamptic women, using a highly sensitive gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method. RESULTS: BPA was detected in maternal blood, fetal blood and placental tissue; and actual concentrations of BPA were determined. Interestingly, significant accumulation of BPA in the placentas of women with preeclampsia compared to normotensive women has been shown. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to highlight a significant correlation between preeclampsia and a high accumulation of BPA in the placenta.