OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the validity of HR measures of a high-cost consumer-based tracker (Polar A370) and a low-cost tracker (Tempo HR) in the laboratory and free-living settings.
METHODS: Participants underwent a laboratory-based cycling protocol while wearing the two trackers and the chest-strapped Polar H10, which acted as criterion. Participants also wore the devices throughout the waking hours of the following day during which they were required to conduct at least one 10-min bout of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) to ensure variability in the HR signal. We extracted 10-second values from all devices and time-matched HR data from the trackers with those from the Polar H10. We calculated intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), mean absolute errors, and mean absolute percentage errors (MAPEs) between the criterion and the trackers. We constructed decile plots that compared HR data from Tempo HR and Polar A370 with criterion measures across intensity deciles. We investigated how many HR data points within the MVPA zone (≥64% of maximum HR) were detected by the trackers.
RESULTS: Of the 57 people screened, 55 joined the study (mean age 30.5 [SD 9.8] years). Tempo HR showed moderate agreement and large errors (laboratory: ICC 0.51 and MAPE 13.00%; free-living: ICC 0.71 and MAPE 10.20%). Polar A370 showed moderate-to-strong agreement and small errors (laboratory: ICC 0.73 and MAPE 6.40%; free-living: ICC 0.83 and MAPE 7.10%). Decile plots indicated increasing differences between Tempo HR and the criterion as HRs increased. Such trend was less pronounced when considering the Polar A370 HR data. Tempo HR identified 62.13% (1872/3013) and 54.27% (5717/10,535) of all MVPA time points in the laboratory phase and free-living phase, respectively. Polar A370 detected 81.09% (2273/2803) and 83.55% (9323/11,158) of all MVPA time points in the laboratory phase and free-living phase, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: HR data from the examined wrist-worn trackers were reasonably accurate in both the settings, with the Polar A370 showing stronger agreement with the Polar H10 and smaller errors. Inaccuracies increased with increasing HRs; this was pronounced for Tempo HR.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: 354 patients with HF on a background of post-infarction cardiosclerosis were included in the 2-yeared follow-up study. LT3 S was diagnosed at 89 (25.1%) patients. The levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone, free T3f and T4f, and reversible T3 were determined. The echocardioscopy was performed.
RESULTS: Results: Patients with HF in combination with LT3 S have a heavier functional class by NYHA, greater dilatation of the left heart cavities, less myocardial contractility, a higher frequency of atrial fibrillation and re-hospitalization. The use of β-ABs in patients with HF without LT3 S leads to a likely decrease in hospitalization frequency, while in patients with LT3 S it has an opposite effect. The frequency of rehospitalization increases with an excess of β-ABs dose > 5 mg (equivalent to bisoprolol). At these patients a decrease in serum T3 level and negative dynamics of parameters of intracardiac hemodynamics are observed.
CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The use of β-ABs in patients with LT3 S leads to an increase in re-hospitalization at a dose over 5.0 mg (equivalent to bisoprolol). In these patients there is a decrease in serum T3, an increase in T4 level; and the ejection fraction decrease; and heart cavities size increase.
METHODS: The methodology was based on the search process described in the paper, "Bibliography of clinical research in Malaysia: methods and brief results". The search databases included PubMed, Scopus and several Malaysian journals such as MyJurnal and UKM Journal Repository, by using the following keywords: (heart valve disease OR infective endocarditis OR rheumatic heart disease) and (Malaysia).
RESULTS: In all 94 papers were identified of which 39 papers were selected and reviewed on the basis of their relevance. The local studies contributed to the knowledge and understanding of the epidemiology, aetiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentations, investigations, treatment, and outcomes of heart valve disease in the country.
DISCUSSION: The clinical relevance of the studies performed in the country is discussed along with recommendations for future research.