Heart failure & cardiomyopathiesCohort study

Increased fluid accumulation, reduced physical activity and heart rate variability during national holidays in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices

Eur J Prev CardiolPublished

  • Retrospective cohort study
  • single-centre

Authors' conclusion

A transient decrease in thoracic impedance, heart rate variability, and physical activity was observed during national holidays, potentially contributing to the higher incidence of MI during holidays.

Study context

Population
Patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED)-based impedance monitoring at a tertiary care hospital in Sweden (82% men, age 69 ± 10 years, 92% ICD, 78% CRT, 72% LVEF < 40%), June 2015–January 2020649 patient-holidays
Participants
96 patients
Exposure
National holidays vs baseline

Main finding

As reported in the abstract

Change during national holidays vs baseline: thoracic impedance, heart rate variability, daily activity · Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Midsummer Day combined

Thoracic impedance decreased by a mean of 1.1 Ohm (95% CI 0.7-1.6)

P < 0.001

Heart rate variability decreased by a mean of 8.0 ms [4.9-11.2]

P > 0.001

Daily activity decreased by a mean of 40 min [35-45]

P < 0.001

Observational data: associations, not effects.

Safety

VT requiring shock therapy during the holiday
1 · events

Original publication

Increased fluid accumulation, reduced physical activity and heart rate variability during national holidays in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices. Eur J Prev Cardiol. Published 6 February 2025. doi:10.1093/eurjpc/zwaf054

Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it