Hi friends!!!

In our previous blogs, we have discussed about Electrocardiogram, 12 Lead ECG Placement, How to read an ECG. Please check out for the link below.

In today's blog we are going to discuss about holter monitor.

The invention of holter monitor has created a revolution in the field of cardiac monitoring. Holter monitor is used for continuous cardiac monitoring. Therefore it is important for every healthcare professionals to know about holter monitor.

Let's get into the topic.

WHAT IS HOLTER MONITOR?

The holter monitor was introduced by Dr. Norman Holter in 1957. The holter monitor is a battery operated wearable device used to monitor and record the heart’s rhythm. The holter monitor is used to monitor heart rhythm around the clock while the patients doing their other activities like sleeping, playing and performing day to day tasks.

In ECG, procedure takes place only for a short period of time. Some heart abnormalities like irregular heart rhythm can happen once in a while. In this case, continuous monitor of heart is required for some time. So, the doctor will prescribe the holter monitor incase if he did not acquire sufficient information from traditional electrocardiogram.

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HOW DOES HOLTER MONITOR WORKS?

The holter monitor is a battery operated smaller device which records electrical activity of the heart for 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours or even up to 2 weeks. The hearts electrical signal is acquired using chest electrodes. The electrodes are attached to holter monitor using the wires. Now a days, wireless holter monitor is also available. It is important to keep the holter monitor close to the patients body to have accurate readings. The holter monitor can be placed on the patients belt or around the neck.

WHAT CAN BE DIAGNOSED USING HOLTER MONITOR?

The holter monitor can be used to diagnose ventricular fibrillation. The atrial fibrillation can also be detected using holter monitor.

Bradycardia events.

Heart rate variability.

Sleep apnea.

Other cardiac abnormalities can also be diagnosed.

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HOLTER MONITOR REPORT

At the top of the report, patient details are displayed. The holter monitor report is usually split into 6 boxes.

In the 1^st box, details about heart rate is displayed. In the 2^nd box, details about ventricular ectopic beats are displayed. The ventricular ectopic beats of more than 10 per hour is a indication of a cardiac problem. The 3^rd box displays the details about heart rate variability.

The 4^th box displays data about ST interval. The ST depression of 1 mm or more is indication of a problem. In the 5^th box, data about atrial ectopies are displayed. In the 6^th box, bradycardia event details are displayed.

At the bottom of the graph, cardiac signals acquired are displayed in a graph form. In the next page, 24 hours trend of cardiac signal is displayed with hour wise data.

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DURING THE PROCEDURE

These chest electrodes can be covered up by the patients T shirts and the recording holter monitor can be placed on the patients belt. The patients will be instructed to wear holter monitor even during sleep. The patients will be instructed on how to reattach the electrodes, in case the electrode becomes loose during the monitoring period. The patients will be instructed to note down all the activities they are doing along with the time of the activity when they are using holter monitor for better interpretation.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS IN HOLTER MONITOR?

The holter monitor cannot be introduced into wet atmosphere. So the patients cannot bath or come in contact with water. The patients should not come in contact with magnetic waves, metal detectors.

HOLTER MONITOR CPT CODE

The CPT codes describe the reporting medical services and the procedures performed by doctors. The CPT codes are used as a common medium of communication between doctors, insurance companies and patients describing the treatment and diagnostic services provided.

The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code 93227 maintained by American Medical Association falls under Cardiovascular Monitoring Services.

Now I hope you have acquired some knowledge about holter monitor We will discuss in detail about a topic related to Biomedical Engineering in our future blogs.

NOTE: Dear friends!!!... Please do comment a topic related to Biomedical, so that we can discuss it in future blogs.

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