Malfunctioning electrocardiographic monitor simulating sinus arrest.
A 64-year-old patient was admitted to the hospital with a history of two syncopal episodes. The results of the physical examination, resting electrocardiogram and His-bundle study were all normal. Study with a 24-hour ECG monitor (Holter) was at first interpreted as demonstrating periods of sinus arrest. However, more careful examination revealed that these actually represented transient speeding of the monitor tape, perhaps secondary to a semiconductor malfunction. Such monitor malfunction may stimulate severe rhythm disturbances.
D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic