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A Research Method For Detecting Transient Myocardial Ischemia In Patients With Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome Using Continuous ST-segment Analysis
18:11

A Research Method For Detecting Transient Myocardial Ischemia In Patients With Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome Using Continuous ST-segment Analysis

Published on: December 28, 2012

Holter-ECG findings after acute ischemic stroke and TIA: A systematic analysis of the MonDAFIS randomized trial

Niklas Thießen1, Manuel C Olma2,3,4, Serdar Tütüncü2

  • 1Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg- Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany.

Scientific Reports
|June 1, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Post-stroke Holter-ECG monitoring reveals arrhythmias beyond atrial fibrillation (AF). Longer monitoring and older age increase detection rates, with sex-specific differences observed in stroke patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Medical Diagnostics

Background:

  • Holter-ECG monitoring is crucial for post-stroke cardiac assessment and secondary prevention.
  • Abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) findings beyond atrial fibrillation (AF) in stroke patients are understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze Holter-ECG findings in acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients without known AF.
  • To compare 24-hour versus 72-hour Holter-ECG monitoring durations for arrhythmia detection.
  • To establish a reference guide for clinical practice regarding post-stroke ECG findings.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective, multicenter MonDAFIS trial.
  • Randomization of patients to Holter-ECG recording (up to 7 days) or usual care.
  • Analysis of Holter-ECG data from the first 72 hours in the intervention arm.

Main Results:

  • 24-hour monitoring identified supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in 4.1% and new AF in 2.2% of 1,665 patients.
  • Premature ventricular complexes were frequent (85.8%); non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (nsVT) detected in 1.7%.
  • 72-hour monitoring (1,283 patients) significantly increased detection rates, doubling nsVT (4.4%) and SVT (8.8%).
  • Older age, female sex (supraventricular arrhythmias), and male sex (ventricular abnormalities) were associated with higher detection rates.

Conclusions:

  • Post-stroke Holter-ECG monitoring detects various arrhythmias beyond AF in a significant number of patients.
  • Extended monitoring duration (72 hours) and older age improve arrhythmia detection.
  • Sex-specific differences in arrhythmia prevalence warrant further investigation in stroke populations.

Keywords:
Atrial fibrillationECG monitoringStroke

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