The clinical effect of arrhythmia monitoring after myocardial infarction (BIO-GUARD|MI): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Christian Jons, Peter Sogaard, Steffen Behrens, Juergen Schrader, Sascha Mrosk, Poul Erik Bloch Thomsen

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)
44 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background: The increasing use of implantable cardiac monitors (ICMs) allows early documentation of asymptomatic cardiac arrhythmias that would previously have gone unnoticed. The addition of remote monitoring to cardiac devices means that physicians receive an early warning in cases of new-onset arrhythmias. While remote monitoring has been suggested to increase survival in heart failure patients with implantable defibrillators, trials using ICMs for continuous electrocardiographic monitoring of cardiac arrhythmias in the postmyocardial infarction setting have shown that patients who experienced cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, and ventricular tachyarrhythmia have an increased risk of major adverse cardiac events. Methods: The Biomonitoring in patients with preserved left ventricular function after diagnosed myocardial infarction (BIO-GUARD-MI) study is designed to investigate and clarify whether the incidence of major adverse cardiac events can be decreased by early detection and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias using an ICM in patients after myocardial infarction. In addition, the study will allow us to describe the interplay between baseline characteristics, arrhythmias, and clinical events to improve the treatment of this high-risk patient population. The study will enroll and randomize a cohort of high-risk postmyocardial infarction patients with CHA 2DS 2-VASc score ≥ 4 and left ventricular ejection fraction > 35% to an ICM or conventional treatment. Physicians are provided with suggestions on how to respond to ICM-documented arrhythmias. An estimated 1400 patients will be enrolled and followed until 372 primary endpoints have occurred. In this paper, we describe the literature and rationale behind the design and interventions towards new-onset arrhythmias, as well as future perspectives and limitations for the use of ICMs. Discussion: Remote monitoring may improve clinical outcome if it uncovers conditions with low symptom burden which cause or indicate an increased risk. A simple and easily implementable response to the information is important. Cardiac arrhythmias frequently start as asymptomatic, shorter lasting, and nightly events. The BIO-GUARD-MI trial represents the first attempt to simplify the response to the rather complex nature of heart arrhythmias. Trial registration: Clinical Trials, NCT02341534. Registered on 19 January 2015.

Original languageEnglish
Article number563
JournalTrials
Volume20
Issue number1
ISSN1745-6215
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2019

Keywords

  • Implantable cardiac monitor
  • Cardiac arrhythmia
  • Myocardial infarction
  • Major adverse cardiac event
  • CHADS-VASC score

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The clinical effect of arrhythmia monitoring after myocardial infarction (BIO-GUARD|MI): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this