Clinical Research Directory

4-electrode ECG (DigitalCardio®) vs Standard 10-electrode ECG: Evaluating Ease of Use and Recording Quality

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the time required to record a complete Electrocardiogram (ECG) trace using the DigitalCardio (CardioSecur®) tablet device versus a standard 12-lead ECG device in eligible patients. The main questions it aims to answer are: Is there a difference in diagnostic recording time (in minutes) between the DigitalCardio tablet and a standard ECG machine? How do the two devices compare in terms of trace quality (including QRS duration, QT interval, frontal axis measurements, and missing/erroneous leads)? How satisfied are healthcare professionals with the CardioSecur® device? Researchers will compare Group A (standard 10-electrode ECG followed by 4-electrode ECG) to Group B (4-electrode ECG followed by standard 10-electrode ECG) in a 1:1 randomized crossover design to evaluate recording efficiency and trace quality. Participants will: Complete an initial screening visit with the principal investigator to review eligibility criteria and sign the informed consent form. Be randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to either Group A or Group B. Undergo both ECG recording methods sequentially (a standard 10-electrode ECG and a 4-electrode ECG using the DigitalCardio tablet), while researchers measure the total time elapsed from electrode placement to obtaining a complete trace.

IMPACT OF CARDIAC AUTONOMIC NEUROPATHY ON QT AND QTC INTERVAL

This prospective observational cohort study evaluated the effect of cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) on perioperative ventricular repolarization, specifically QT and corrected QT (QTc) intervals, in patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery under general anesthesia. The study was conducted in a tertiary care university hospital between October 2023 and December 2024. Adult patients scheduled for isolated elective CABG surgery with sinus rhythm on preoperative electrocardiography were screened for eligibility. Cardiac autonomic function was assessed preoperatively using standardized Ewing's cardiovascular reflex tests. Patients were classified into two groups according to test results: CAN-positive (≥2 abnormal tests) and CAN-negative (\<2 abnormal tests). QT and QTc intervals were measured at predefined perioperative time points, including before anesthesia induction, baseline, before intubation, at 1 and 30 minutes after intubation, before cannulation, and 24 hours postoperatively. The primary objective was to compare perioperative QT and QTc interval changes between patients with and without CAN. Secondary outcomes included QT and QTc variability (ΔQT, ΔQTc) and the incidence of clinically significant QTc prolongation.