Event Recorders (30-Day Event Monitoring) at UPMC in Central Pa.

Event monitoring is very similar to Holter monitoring and is often ordered for many of the same reasons – to determine if certain symptoms are the result of a heart problem that needs treatment.

An Event Recorder can be used to:

• Evaluate chest pain not reproduced with exercise testing
• Evaluate other signs and symptoms that may be heart-related, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting
• Identify irregular heartbeats or palpitations
• Assess risk for future heart-related events in certain conditions, such as cardiomyopathy, or post-heart attack
• Assess the function of an implanted pacemaker
• Determine the effectiveness of therapy for complex arrhythmias

How does an Event Recorder work?

With an event monitor, you wear EKG electrode patches on your chest, and the electrodes are connected by wire leads to a recording device. Unlike the Holter monitor, which records continuously throughout the testing period of 24 to 48 hours, the event monitor records only when you feel symptoms and trigger the monitor to record your EKG tracing.

An auto-trigger event monitor may be used to record rhythms when symptoms are rare or suspected to occur during sleep. The auto-trigger event monitor automatically records rhythm events that are faster or slower than normal and can also be manually activated if you experience symptoms.

When you feel one or more symptoms, such as chest pain, dizziness, or palpitations, you push a button on the event monitor recorder. Some monitors have a feature (memory loop recorder) which captures a short period of time prior to the moment you triggered the recording and afterwards. This feature can help your doctor determine more details about the possible change in your EKG at the time the symptoms started, and what was happening with your EKG just before you triggered the recorder. Other monitors, called "post-event recorders," simply start recording your EKG from the moment you trigger it.

Event monitors are slightly smaller than Holter monitors and can be worn for weeks or until symptoms occur. Most event monitors are clipped to a belt or carried in your pocket. Post-event recorders are quite small and some may even be worn on the wrist (similar to a wristwatch). Memory-loop recorders are about the size of a pager.

How does my doctor see the results?

After you experience symptoms and record them, you will send the recording of the event to your doctor or to a central monitoring center. This transmission is generally done over the telephone or wirelessly using cellular technology. You will be instructed regarding how to transmit data. You will also keep a diary of your symptoms and corresponding activities (as done during the holter monitoring procedure). Your doctor will analyze and discuss the results with you.

After you're finished using an event monitor, you'll return it to your doctor's office or the place where you picked it up. Risks associated with the procedure are minimal and include skin irritation from where the patches were placed. The irritation will go away once the patches are removed.

Need more information?

Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Practices
Cumberland/Dauphin/Franklin/Perry Counties: 717-731-0101
Pediatric : 717-761-0200
Hanover: 717-637-1738
York: 717-849-5576
Lancaster/Lititz: 717-299-5000
Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery: 717-231-8555

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Locations

Cardiovascular Diagnostic Services
Located at UPMC Outpatient Center
2201 Brunswick Drive
2100
Hanover, PA 17331
Phone: 717-316-2195
Fax: 717-316-2242

UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute
Located at UPMC Outpatient Center
1251 East Main Street
Suite 3
Annville, PA 17003
Adult Cardiology: 717-731-0101
Pediatric Cardiology: 717-761-0200

UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute
360 Alexander Spring Road
Carlisle, PA 17013
Adult Cardiology: 717-243-6557
Pediatric Cardiology: 717-761-0200
Fax: 717-243-0102 

UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute
900 Century Drive
Suite 100
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Phone: 717-591-3660 or 800-248-0257
Fax: 717-591-3661

UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute
Located at Medical Professional Center of Newport
300 Bretz Court
Newport, PA 17074
Phone: 717-567-7246 or 800-248-0257
Fax: 717-567-2621 

UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute
2808 Old Post Road
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Adult Cardiology: 717-920-4400
Pediatric Cardiology: 717-761-0200
Fax: 717-920-4401

UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute
12 Saint Paul Drive
Suite 205
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Adult Cardiology: 717-217-6881
Pediatric Cardiology: 717-761-0200
Fax: 717-217-6889

UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute
Located at Commerce Park Professional Center
20 Expedition Trail
Suite 203
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Phone: 717-637-1738
Fax: 717-646-7430

UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute
Located at UPMC Outpatient Center
2201 Brunswick Drive
2200
Hanover, PA 17331
Phone: 717-637-1738
Fax: 717-646-7430

UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute
Located at Medical Office Building
310 Stock Street
Suite 3
Hanover, PA 17331
Phone: 717-637-1738
Fax: 717-646-7430