Ambulatory Monitoring

Ambulatory Monitoring

• Holter monitoring can record an ECG for up to 7 days

• Non-invasive and lightweight

• Easy to operate - may have an ‘event’ button

• Usually well tolerated by dogs

• Less tolerated by cats - may require hospitalisation but this may produce inaccurate results due to stress within the hospital

The event button ..

• Can be pressed when the client witness the episode of collapse

• This will highlight the event on the ECG recording got enable easier assessment

Why is ambulatory monitoring performed?

To record heart rate, rhythm and electrical activity over a longer period compared to static ECG machines - Enables documentation whilst the patient preforms their normal activities away from the veterinary practice

Indications for use

• Intermittent collapse

• Syncope

• Exercise intolerance

• Breed screening (those at high risk of arrhythmias)

• Arrhythmia assessment

• Monitoring the efficacy of antiarrhythmic treatment

• Hospitalised or critical care patients

Adhesive electrodes are used ..

These must be secured correctly and firmly in place to prevent poor contact artifacts

An ECG is a ..

Diagnostic tool used to assess and record the rhythm, rate and electrical activity of the heart and there are various indication for use in veterinary patients

A sinus complex originates from the ..

Sinoatrial node

When analysing an ECG, you should assess the ..

• Heart rate

• Heart rhythm

• Whether there is a QRS complex for every P wave

• Whether thee is a P wave for every QRS complex

• If ECG waves are consistently and reasonably related

• The morphology of the QRS complex

Patient preparation is vital to ensure ..

A diagnostic and artifact-free ECG trace