Detection of pacemaker abnormalities by Holter monitoring
Wright, M.F.
Journal of the American Osteopathic Association 81(4): 255-263
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0098-6151 PMID: 7319854 Document Number: 182434
Permanent pacemaker patients (170) were followed in the pacemaker clinic for 7 yr. The various methods of follow-up included postoperative hard-wire monitoring, ECG analysis, bedside monitoring, transtelephonic monitoring and ambulatory Holter monitor analysis. Inpatient postimplantation Holter monitoring was the most accurate and reliable method of detecting Pb placement complications. A significant percentage of outpatient complications related to Pb and component failures was detected only by ambulatory monitoring. Ambulatory Holter monitoring appears to detect asymptomatic pacemaker complications with much more reliability than sedentary short-term analysis. Detection of asymptomatic pacemaker complications will allow corrections to be made prior to symptomatic or catastrophic events. Ambulatory monitoring is an important adjunct to the care of the pacemaker patient. It plays a central role in a comprehensive permanent pacemaker follow-up evaluation clinic.