Medical Event Recorder
Location – Cardiology
A cardiac event recorder is a device that is implanted directly under the skin and is programmable with looping memory that records electrocardiogram (ECG) tracings. The recorder is programmed by a physician or cardiology technician to retrieve data, and display and print stored data. The device is usually inserted under local anaesthesia in skin over the chest. The patient has a hand-held telemetry unit that he or she activates whenever there are symptoms to initiate ECG recording and storage. The monitor can store up to 40 minutes of signals after an episode.
An event recorder is used for patients who experience symptoms less often and is worn for several days or weeks. When wearing an event recorder, patients are asked to push the record button when they feel the symptoms of an abnormal rhythm. They then call their doctor’s office, and the recording is sent over the phone.
A patient-activated event recorder, also called an insertable loop recorder, is often used to document a suspected arrhythmia (irregular heartbeats) that may, for example, be the cause of fainting (syncope) or near-fainting spells.
Cost $22,000
Note: The photograph is used for illustrative purposes only. The equipment purchased may be of a different make and model.
