|
Ambulatory Monitors
Definition:
Ambulatory monitors are small, portable electrocardiograph
machines that are able to record the heart’s rhythm.
Each type of monitor has unique features related
to length of recording time and ability to send the recordings over the
phone.
Your doctor uses ambulatory monitors to:
- assess your heart rhythm over time
- correlate your symptoms with your heart
rhythm
- diagnose abnormal heart rhythms:
what kind they are, how long they last, and what may cause them
- guide treatment for abnormal heart
rhythms
To prepare:
- Avoid oily or greasy skin creams and lotions where
the monitor is applied. They interfere with the electrode-skin contact.
- Wear a shirt that can be easily removed to place the
electrodes on the chest.
|
| |
| Technician
attaching holter monitor |
| |
| Technician
scanning recording |
Holter Monitor (also
called Ambulatory ECG)
- A Holter monitor is a portable ECG recorder that you
wear during your normal daily activities, including sleeping.
- It can be worn up to 24 hours.
- Electrodes (sticky patches) are placed on the skin
of your chest. Wires are attached from the electrodes to a box about
the size of a portable tape player and worn on a belt or shoulder strap.
The electrical impulses are continuously recorded and stored in the
Holter Monitor.
- While you are wearing the monitor, you will be asked
to keep a diary of your activities and your symptoms, such as fluttering
feelings in your chest (palpitations), rapid heartbeats, and any episodes
of dizziness or faintness. It's important to keep track of the activities
you were doing when your symptoms occurred, so your doctor can see what
kinds of events are bringing them on.
- When the Holter monitor test is complete, you will
return the Holter Monitor. A technician plays the tape on a special
computer that analyzes the recording and looks for any abnormalities
of the rhythm. The technician prepares a full report for the doctor,
including a printout of abnormal heart rhythms.
|
 |
| Technician
instructing on event monitor |
Event Monitor
(also called an Event Recorder)
- This device, similar to a Holter monitor, is worn during
normal daily activities including sleeping; however, it is worn for
a longer period of time. You will learn how to take the device off during
showers and baths. It is used for arrythmias that occur less frequently.
- Small electrodes are attached to your chest. Wires
are attached from the electrodes to a box about the size of a portable
tape player and worn on a belt or shoulder strap.
- When you feel symptoms, you depress a button and the
recorder is activated. The monitor records the event for the 60 seconds
prior to your pushing the button and up to 40 seconds after the arrhythmia
is over. The event monitor can store up to three events.
- The rhythm can be sent immediately or saved and transmitted
later, over the phone line. The technician will give the recordings
to your doctor for review. If the reading indicates an emergency, the
technician will instruct you to go to the emergency room.
|
 |
| Patient
wearing CardioNet system |
CardioNet
(Mobile Cardiac Outpatient Telemetry)
- CardioNet mobile
telemetry allows continuous heartbeat monitoring as you go about your
daily activities. Most people are on the CardioNet service from 7 to
14 days.
- This device consists
of a small sensor attached to three electrode pads, worn either as a
lavalier, which is invisible under clothing or on a belt clip.
- The sensor sends
each heartbeat to a handheld monitor that can be tucked into a pocket
or purse.
- When the monitor
detects a heart rhythm problem — whether you feel it or not —
it automatically transmits your ECG to the CardioNet monitoring center.
At the CaridoNet Center, which operates around the clock, certified
cardiac technicians analyze each transmission, respond appropriately
to each event and transmit diagnostic reports to your doctor.
- If you feel a
symptom, you use the touch screen on the CardioNet monitor to report
it. The monitor transmits the symptom you entered and your ECG to the
CardioNet monitoring center. Integrated symptom and ECG data can help
doctors rule in, or rule-out, cardiac causes for symptoms such as dizziness
and fainting. Click
here to learn more about how CardioNet works.(a
new browser window will open with this link. The inclusion of links
to other web sites does not imply any endorsement of the material on
the web sites or any association with their operators )
|
 |
| Patient
testing transtelephonic transmitter |
Transtelephonic
Transmitter
- Transtelephonic transmitters are not worn continuously.
They are used only during the phone-monitoring period.
- In the past, this type of transmitter was used for
monitoring pacemaker function. However, now it is used for patients
with arrhythmias to monitor certain events indicated by their doctor.
- When you are ready to call the Pacemaker-Arrhythmia
Center, use the electrode transmitter as directed. The electrode may
be a finger electrode, wrist bracelet or chest plate.
- You will dial the center and place the telephone into
a transmitter. Hold as still as possible during the transmission. After
you have completed the transmission, the nurse or technician will ask
you questions about your symptoms and current medications.
- Your doctor will review the recordings and information
provided by the arrhythmia-pacemaker clinic.
Click here
to:
©
Copyright 2002-2006 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All rights reserved.
Rev. 9/06 |
