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BMC veterinary research2018; 14(1); 320; doi: 10.1186/s12917-018-1650-6

Can heart rate variability parameters derived by a heart rate monitor differentiate between atrial fibrillation and sinus rhythm?

Abstract: Heart rate variability (HRV) parameters, and especially RMSSD (root mean squared successive differences in RR interval), could distinguish atrial fibrillation (AF) from sinus rhythm(SR) in horses, as was demonstrated in a previous study. If heart rate monitors (HRM) automatically calculating RMSSD could also distinguish AF from SR, they would be useful for the monitoring of AF recurrence. The objective of the study was to assess whether RMSSD values obtained from a HRM can differentiate AF from SR in horses. Furthermore, the impact of artifact correction algorithms, integrated in the analyses software for HRV analyses was evaluated. Fourteen horses presented for AF treatment were simultaneously equipped with a HRM and an electrocardiogram (ECG). A two-minute recording at rest, walk and trot, before and after cardioversion, was obtained. RR intervals used were those determined automatically by the HRM and by the equine ECG analysis software, and those obtained after manual correction of QRS detection within the ECG software. RMSSD was calculated by the HRM software and by dedicated HRV software, using six different artifact filters. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and receiver operating curves. Results: The HRM, which applies a low level filter, produced high area under the curve (AUC) (> 0.9) and cut off values with high sensitivity and specificity. Similar results were obtained for the ECG, when low level artifact filtering was applied. When no artifact correction was used during trotting, an important decrease in AUC (0.75) occurred. Conclusions: In horses treated for AF, HRMs with automatic RMSSD calculations distinguish between AF and SR. Such devices might be a useful aid to monitor for AF recurrence in horses.
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Publication Date: 2018-10-25 PubMed ID: 30359273PubMed Central: PMC6203204DOI: 10.1186/s12917-018-1650-6Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article discusses the effectiveness of heart rate monitors in differentiating between atrial fibrillation and sinus rhythm in horses. It showed that heart rate monitors calculating RMSSD can indeed distinguish between the two states and could potentially help monitor incidences of atrial fibrillation recurrence.

Objective of the Study

  • The study aimed to evaluate if RMSSD values derived from a heart rate monitor (HRM) can differentiate between atrial fibrillation (AF) and sinus rhythm (SR) in horses.
  • It also assessed the impact of artifact correction algorithms that are integrated into the analysis software for heart rate variability analysis.

Methodology

  • The researchers conducted the study on fourteen horses that were presented for AF treatment. The horses were fitted with a heart rate monitor (HRM) and an electrocardiogram (ECG).
  • Two-minute recordings were made in resting periods, walk, and trot states, both before and after cardioversion.
  • RR intervals were automatically determined by the HRM and the equine ECG analysis software. Post this, adjustments were made based on manual correction of QRS detection within the ECG software.
  • RMSSD was calculated using the HRM software and a dedicated HRV software with six different artifact filters.
  • Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and receiver operating curves.

Results

  • HRMs, which apply a low-level filter, produced a high area under the curve (AUC) greater than 0.9. Its cut-off values showed high sensitivity and specificity.
  • Analogously, similar results were obtained with ECG when low-level artifact filtering was applied.
  • However, without artifact correction during trotting, there was a significant decrease in AUC to 0.75.

Conclusion

  • The results convincingly showed that HRMs with automatic RMSSD calculations are effective in differentiating between AF and SR in horses, suggesting it could be a helpful tool to monitor AF recurrence in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Broux B, De Clercq D, Vera L, Ven S, Deprez P, Decloedt A, van Loon G. (2018). Can heart rate variability parameters derived by a heart rate monitor differentiate between atrial fibrillation and sinus rhythm? BMC Vet Res, 14(1), 320. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-018-1650-6

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 1
Pages: 320

Researcher Affiliations

Broux, B
  • Equine Cardioteam, Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium. Barbara.Broux@UGent.be.
De Clercq, D
  • Equine Cardioteam, Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Vera, L
  • Equine Cardioteam, Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Ven, S
  • Equine Cardioteam, Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Deprez, P
  • Equine Cardioteam, Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Decloedt, A
  • Equine Cardioteam, Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
van Loon, G
  • Equine Cardioteam, Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Artifacts
  • Atrial Fibrillation / diagnosis
  • Atrial Fibrillation / physiopathology
  • Atrial Fibrillation / veterinary
  • Electric Countershock / veterinary
  • Electrocardiography / instrumentation
  • Electrocardiography / veterinary
  • Female
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Heart Rate Determination / instrumentation
  • Heart Rate Determination / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / physiopathology
  • Horses / physiology
  • Male
  • Monitoring, Ambulatory / instrumentation
  • Monitoring, Ambulatory / veterinary

Grant Funding

  • 1134917N / Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek

Conflict of Interest Statement

ETHICS APPROVAL: All horses were included in the study with written informed owner consent and cared for according to the principles outlined in the NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. All the data that were acquired during the study were part of the standard examination and treatment of horses with atrial fibrillation admitted to our clinic. No extra examinations, procedures or treatments were performed, therefore formal ethics approval by an ethical committee was not necessary. CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION: Not applicable. COMPETING INTERESTS: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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Citations

This article has been cited 7 times.
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