Implantable Loop Recorder with Long Sensing Vector: Safety, Acceptability, and Sensing Performance in Pediatric Patients

: Implantable loop recorders (ILRs) are effective tools for detecting arrhythmias by long-term continuous heart rhythm monitoring. Benefits have been demonstrated even in pediatric patients. ILR with a long sensing vector has recently been designed to improve signal quality in terms of P wave visibility and R wave amplitude. However, there are no data on its use in pediatric patients. We considered a series of pediatric patients implanted with a long sensing vector ILR. Sensing performance, including R wave amplitude and P wave visibility, device-related complications, and diagnostic yield were collected. During follow-up, each patient guided by his/her parents/guardians was also asked to complete a brief questionnaire to assess patient acceptability of the device. Twenty-five consecutive pediatric patients (mean age 11.3 ± 3.5 years, 72% male) were enrolled. The insertion success rate was 100% on the first attempt with no complications. The median amplitude of the R wave was 1.15 mV (interquartile range, 1.01-1.42) with no significant differences between patients aged ≤ or > 10 years (p = 0.726) and between female and male (p = 0.483). P wave was classified as 'always visible' in 24/25 patients (96%). ILR was generally well accepted and tolerated by all involved patients. During a median follow-up of 297 days (117-317), we achieved in 5 patients a correlation between symptoms and rhythm disorders (20%) and ruled out significant arrhythmias in 6 symptomatic children (24%). Long sensing vector ILR showed to be well accepted, with good signal quality and an excellent safety profile even in pediatric patients.

Implantable loop recorders (ILRs) are effective tools for detecting arrhythmias by long-term continuous heart rhythm monitoring. Benefits have been demonstrated even in pediatric patients. ILR with a long sensing vector has recently been designed to improve signal quality in terms of P wave visibility and R wave amplitude. However, there are no data on its use in pediatric patients. We considered a series of pediatric patients implanted with a long sensing vector ILR. Sensing performance, including R wave amplitude and P wave visibility, device-related complications, and diagnostic yield were collected. During follow-up, each patient guided by his/her parents/guardians was also asked to complete a brief questionnaire to assess patient acceptability of the device. Twenty-five consecutive pediatric patients (mean age 11.3 +/- 3.5 years, 72% male) were enrolled. The insertion success rate was 100% on the first attempt with no complications. The median amplitude of the R wave was 1.15 mV (interquartile range, 1.01-1.42) with no significant differences between patients aged <= or > 10 years (p = 0.726) and between female and male (p = 0.483). P wave was classified as 'always visible' in 24/25 patients (96%). ILR was generally well accepted and tolerated by all involved patients. During a median follow-up of 297 days (117-317), we achieved in 5 patients a correlation between symptoms and rhythm disorders (20%) and ruled out significant arrhythmias in 6 symptomatic children (24%). Long sensing vector ILR showed to be well accepted, with good signal quality and an excellent safety profile even in pediatric patients.