The Diagnostic Value of Combined 24-h BP and ECG Holter Monitoring in Detection of Cardiac Arrhythmias in Patients with Arterial Hypertension

BACKGROUND: Arrhythmias are common problems in hypertensive patients. The presence and complexity of both supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias may influence morbidity, mortality, as well as the quality of life of patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of combined 24h BP and ECG Holter monitoring in detection of cardiac arrhythmias in patients with arterial hypertension. METHODS: We analyzed the simultaneous records of combined 24h BP and ECG Holter monitoring for 356 adult patients with diagnosed arterial hypertension in the period from January 2017 until January 2021 year. The cardiac arrhythmias were classified in three main groups as following: a) Supraventricular arrhythmias; b) Ventricular arrhythmias; c) Bradyarrhythmia’s. Standard transthoracic echocardiograms were performed in order to evaluate signs of hypertensive or structural heart disease with focus on left ventricle hypertrophy and LV function. RESULTS: Patients had a mean age of 64 ± 11years, 62% male. Average clinic BP was 153.4+18/87.5+14 mmHg. More than 46% of patients displayed a very high-risk profile. In all enrolled patients, cardiac arrhythmia was detected in 302 (84%) patients. The total number of patients with supraventricular arrhythmias was 153 (50,7%). Ventricular arrhythmias were detected in 98 (32,5%) patients. Bradyarrhythmia’s were detected in 51 (16,9%) patients. Elevated resting heart rate in sinus rhythm was detected in 87 (31,6%) of 275 patients with sinus rhythm. CONCLUSION: Most arrhythmias are related to longstanding arterial hypertension. Effective treatment of arterial hypertension plays important role in preventing structural and functional cardiac abnormalities which will contribute to the reduction of cardiac arrhythmias in hypertensive patients.