Event Monitor

[Sirenet]

I am presently wearing an event monitor as I prepare for ICD implantation. I realize many have worn and are familiar with these monitors, perhaps someone can advise me as to when to record event. I have thousands of Pvcs a day, so obviously I am not goint to be pressing it constantly. I also get runs often, as well as lightheaded and a sense of "losing my stomach".  I have recorded a few, but honestly feel ridiculous to continually keep logging what is routine for me. Hmmm. From what I understand, is it true that these 'recorded events' are only what are recorded and evaluated? If that's the case, then I should press it often?
  I am often awakened in the middle of the night with 'things' going on, so they're a no-brainer.  Just wondering if some of you pros can advise. Thanks, Steve

[tom_h]

As michelle correctly describes it, the event monitor is constantly recording your heart activity.  Most recorders have an auto trigger that is preprogrammed to write to memory events that match a series of preprogrammed parameters.  When you press the button are writting to memory, a literal snapshot of cardiac activity, perhaps 3 minutes.  What happens, autotrigger or manual, is the device goes back a number of seconds before you pressed the button, and begins to write your cardiac data to a memory slot, perhaps one of three. Doing so writes the initiation of the event.  It will continue to write to memory the data for the next several minutes.  It then is ready to write to the next memory slot.

I wouldn't bother with the here and there PVC's.  Most cardiologist will shrug these off.  I'd record significant events like you describe above.  Just remember that after you feel them, you have perhaps 30 seconds to press the button if it isn't alreadty recording, as the device will jump back into time, and catch what you felt BEFORE you pressed the button.  This is an important fact to remember.  So you won't be thinking "Darn, I should have pressed it before these happened."

[MichelleP_3811]

The monitor I had recorded constantly but didn't save until I pressed the button.  Some I believe will trigger a record if it senses an issue.  Mine didn't and I had to press the record and phone in when I had an event.  That sounds like the kind you have so just make sure you press the button when you feel something odd happen so you catch everything.

[jan1123]

It is my understanding that the monitor is constantly transmitting and I only had to do anything if I had an event. Am I doing this wrong?

[Momto3]

LOL!!

As for the recording, I think it's always better to send too many (think of yourself as a rock star!) than too few...

[Sirenet]

  Thanks for your replies. I realize my question may have seemed self-explanatory, but I honestly am pretty much always feeling something. Twice in particular in the past, I evidently was in V-tach and I couldn't differentiate it from my normal run of Pvcs. I was wondering, I guess, was that if I didn't record 'event' would nothing be monitored or any results when completed. It would seem that they have enough of what they need, so I wonder what it is that they are looking for. Many thanks
  Yes Connie, I am NOT  looking forward to the incidental and inwanted 'waxings' !!  ;-)

[PerChance]

I have been in the same boat twice before.  Thousands of PVCs per day, but I was never quite sure when to press that record button.  Eventually, I figured I might as well get my money's worth out of the thing, so I likely over-recorded.  The event monitor company didn't seem to mind, especially if I saved up 4-5 and called them all in at once.  For the whole batch of 60 days I wore monitors, nothing terribly helpful showed up, even though I recorded often and could have sworn I captured at least a few "good" episodes.  It wasn't until I did an EP study that WPW - SVT was caught and ablated.

Good luck!  I hope the event monitor and later the ICD truly help you.    

[Momto3]

Hey Stevet!

Ah, the event monitor...Watch out for those sticky patches; they can be quite irritating to the skin..OUCH!  Try moving them around when you change them (not far from the spot, but a little away so the exact same spot doesn't get too irritated).

As for recording the events, I didn't record too many "regular" PVCs either...I could have kept them hopping if I had done that.  I'd send in some of the runs, and those events which correlate to symptoms.  Just try to get a few of each type of thing you feel.  Don't worry about sending too many recordings.  It's better than missing an important "event."  You know what the "regular" PVCs feel like, so you probably don't need those, but yep on the runs and other weird stuff.

Good luck!  When do you get the ICD?
connie