The cardiac loop recorder is designed to automatically detect and record heart arrhythmia. It’s small, lightweight, wearable and highly innovative. Heart patients remain mobile and have a normal daily life while they are constantly monitored without the need for an invasive procedure. Patients can be monitored during exercise, anywhere, anytime.
The recorder monitors the heart rhythm continuously using ECG electrodes. It only records an ECG if the patient pressed the record button or if it automatically detects a cardiac arrhythmia, which is previously set in the menu.
The last makes the recorder highly efficient in use because it is possible to note asymptomatic arrhythmias.
The ECGs from the Cardiac Event Loop Recorder are sent to the Vitaphone Tele-ECG receiver via Bluetooth and mobile phone. The transmission of ECGs is done automatically after each ECG, without the intervention of the patient.
The Vitaphone Event Loop Recorder allows up to 15 ECGs in memory. With the automatic transmission of ECGs the memory of the Event Loop Recorder is not exhaustive and the recorder actually has a virtually unlimited memory.
The Vitaphone Tele-ECG server then sent the ECGs in PDF format to an e-mail address you specified. In practice this is usually a purpose-generated e-mail address to which the staff of the cardiac department has access. The ECGs can be read with the freely available Acrobat Reader, you will not need anything further.
But you can also receive the ECGs in another digital data format (XML), so you can read and analyze the ECGs in our ECG Viewer software.
The Cardiac Loop Event Recorder is able to automatically detect the following arrhythmias:
- tachycardia cardiac abnormalities
- bradycardia cardiac abnormalities
- atrial fibrillation (AF)
- ventricular tachycardia (VT)
- cardiac pauses (asystoles)
The automatic detection of one or more of these arrhythmias is managed and programmed in the setup menu of the recorder.
The duration of the recordings is also set in the menu, the so-called pre-event and post-event period. Total duration of the recordings vary between 40 seconds and 7 minutes.
The recorder also includes a timer interval option it can be set between 1 and 99 hours. And will automatically record an ECG according to the setting.
Furthermore the recorder alerts if it does not receive a good signal from the electrodes.
The device can, depending on the settings, be used continuously for 14 to 28 days, and this duration is only limited by battery life (standard batteries).
In summary, the Cardiac Event Loop Recorder offers unique monitoring capabilities of cardiac arrhythmias that no other device on the market have to offer.
About Event Monitors
Event monitors are similar to Holter monitors. You wear one while you do your normal daily activities. Most event monitors have wires that connect the device to sensors. The sensors are stuck to your chest using sticky patches.
Unlike Holter monitors, event monitors don’t continuously record your heart’s electrical activity. They only record during symptoms. For many event monitors, you need to start the device when you feel symptoms. Some event monitors start automatically if they detect abnormal heart rhythms.
Event monitors tend to be smaller than Holter monitors because they don’t need to store as much data.
Different types of event monitors work in slightly different ways. Your doctor will explain how to use the monitor before you start wearing it.
Postevent Recorders
Postevent recorders are among the smallest event monitors. You can wear a postevent recorder like a wristwatch or carry it in your pocket. The pocket version is about the size of a thick credit card. These monitors don’t have wires that connect the device to chest sensors.
To start the recorder when you feel a symptom, you hold it to your chest. To start the wristwatch version, you touch a button on the side of the watch.
A postevent recorder only records what happens after you start it. It may miss a heart rhythm problem that occurs before and during the onset of symptoms. Also, it might be hard to start the monitor when a symptom is in progress.
In some cases, the missing data could have helped your doctor diagnose the heart rhythm problem.
Presymptom Memory Cardiac Loop Recorders
Presymptom memory loop recorders are the size of a small cell phone. They’re also called continuous loop event recorders.
You can clip this event monitor to your belt or carry it in your pocket. Wires connect the device to sensors on your chest.
These recorders are always recording and erasing data. When you feel a symptom, you push a button on the device. The normal erase process stops. The recording will show a few minutes of data from before, during, and after the symptom. This may make it possible for your doctor to see very brief changes in your heart rhythm.
Autodetect Recorders
Autodetect recorders are about the size of the palm of your hand. Wires connect the device to sensors on your chest.
You don’t need to start an autodetect recorder during symptoms. These recorders detect abnormal heart rhythms and automatically record and send the data to your doctor’s office.
Implantable Loop Recorders
You may need an implantable loop recorder if other event monitors can’t provide enough data. Implantable loop recorders are about the size of a pack of gum. This type of event monitor is inserted under the skin on your chest. No wires or chest sensors are used.
Your doctor can program the device to record when you start it during symptoms or automatically if it detects an abnormal heart rhythm. Devices may differ, so your doctor will tell you how to use your recorder. Sometimes a special card is held close to the recorder to start it.