holter tests results

[wen222]

I have had a holter monitor test done (48 hour test) recently.  The results are as follows:
maximum heart rate 130 BPM
minimum heart rate- 45 BPM
average Heart rate- 67 BPM
rare multifocal ventricular ectopic beats - 14
two VE couplets
rare isolated supraventricular ectopy  -  217
two SVE couplets
two SVE runs, the longest run was 20 beats at 135 BPM- probably A. Fib
The fastest run was 3 beats at 150 BPM

18 ventricular ectopics which represent <1% of total QRS
244 Supraventricular ectopics which represent<!% of total QRS complexes
0 paced QRS complexes

I'm not sure how to interpret results. The doctor said probable atrial fibrillation. They don't sound sure and want me to have a follow-up test. What could be the cause of test results if not atrial fibrillaton? I did take my blood pressure with a battery operated Omron machine. Would this have affected results of the test? Is it possible the arrthymia is temporary? My doctor recommended SOTALOL medication, but I'm not sure I want to take it if the diagnosis isn't definitive. Please, a lot of questions I need answers to.  Thank you

[maggiemag]

I am not a physician, but it seems like quite a jump to go from possible AF for only a 20 beat run to Sotolol!  I think the whole report sounds pretty good too.  You had few PVC's or supravent. beats.  In the setting of a normal heart structure, even multifocal PVC's are benign.  Are you seeing a cardiologist or just a family doctor?  And echo might be in order or more prolonged monitoring like an event monitor, but I would personally not take any meds yet.

[tomah]

What kinds of symptoms are you having?  I have had a couple of event monitors and he time it has shown probable AFib.  As a matter of fact, just yesterday I had a period of about 10 minutes, twice, of my heart beating really fast and irregular.  The last time I saw my cardio, after the even monitor that showed the latest "probably Afib" he still just kept me on my ToprolXL.  Mine report said Non-sustained possbile AFib - which led me to believe that it resolves on it's own - with both times it did yesterday - but it is scarier than heck.  I also have Pacs and PVC's and have had for over 30 years.

I think that with Solatol, you have to be monitored in a hospital for three days when you start taking it, because it can cause irregular heart beats.  You might want to google it.  Frankly, I don't think your report sounds that bad.