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. 2007 Feb;24(1):11-3.
doi: 10.1093/fampra/cml065. Epub 2006 Dec 7.

Optimal duration of event recording for diagnosis of arrhythmias in patients with palpitations and light-headedness in the general practice

Emmy Hoefman  1 , Henk C P M van Weert, Kimberly R Boer, Johannes Reitsma, Rudolph W Koster, Patrick J E Bindels
Affiliations

Optimal duration of event recording for diagnosis of arrhythmias in patients with palpitations and light-headedness in the general practice

Emmy Hoefman et al. Fam Pract. 2007 Feb.

Abstract

Background: Patient-activated continuous-loop event recorders (CER) are useful as a diagnostic tool in new episodes of palpitations and/or dizziness. So far, no analysis of optimal duration for monitoring in unselected patients has been published.

Methods: During a period of 30 days, we prospectively evaluated the time until diagnosis using CER in patients with symptoms of palpitations and/or dizziness in general practice.

Results: In total, 127 patients received an event recorder for a maximum duration of 30 days. Events were recorded by 104 patients (82%), of whom 83 (78%) showed an arrhythmia. After 2 weeks, 75% of all diagnoses and 83.3% of all clinically relevant diagnoses could be established.

Conclusion: The yield of event recording in general practice diminishes with recording time. A minimum recording time of 2 weeks seems necessary.

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