Authors' objectives: Cardiac arrhythmias occur when there is abnormal impulse formation or disordered conduction of electrical impulses within the heart muscle (myocardium). Depending on the type and severity, arrhythmias can cause palpitations, weakness, dizziness, syncope, hemodynamic complications, or death; however, arrhythmias may also be asymptomatic. The reference standard for detecting and diagnosing cardiac arrhythmia is electrocardiography (ECG), which records the electrical activity of the heart. Standard ECG devices collect data obtained from up to 12 electrodes connected to the patient's chest and limbs via wires, are used for approximately 24 to 48 hours, and are too cumbersome for ambulatory wear. To detect arrhythmias that occur sporadically or infrequently, ECG monitoring for several hours or days may be necessary and is accomplished by ambulatory ECG devices, such as Holter monitors, event recorders, loop monitors, and cardiac telemetry devices. These devices are limited since they monitor continuously for a short term (24 to 48 hours) or intermittently for a longer time, which increases the likelihood of missing arrhythmias. They also involve attachment of electrodes to the patient's chest and the monitoring device, which hampers activities of daily living (ADL) and compliance. Newer external continuous long-term monitors for arrhythmias offer clinical utility due to their ability to capture events that occur transiently or that are asymptomatic.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2014

URL for published report: The report may be purchased from: http://www.hayesinc.com/hayes/crd/?crd=16687

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: United States

Organisation Name: HAYES, Inc.

Contact Address: 157 S. Broad Street, Suite 200, Lansdale, PA 19446, USA. Tel: 215 855 0615; Fax: 215 855 5218

Contact Name: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Contact Email: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Copyright: 2014 Winifred S. Hayes, Inc