[Efficacy of implantable loop recorders in establishing symptom-rhythm correlation in patients with unexplained syncope].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of the implantable loop recorder (ILR) in establishing symptom-rhythm correlation in patients with unexplained syncope.


METHODS
Implantable loop recorders (ILR, Reveal Plus(9526), Medtronic Inc.) were implanted in 10 patients [aged 14 - 78 (41 +/- 22) years, 6 female] with unexplained syncope from October 2002 to May 2005. Syncopal episodes were (4.5 +/- 1.4) patients.


RESULTS
During the monitoring period [8 - 21 (15.3 +/- 3.6) months], there were 24 times syncopal episodes in 6 patients. A total of 211 arrhythmia events were documented by ILR in 7 patients and symptom-rhythm correlation could be established in these 7 patients. In 2 patients, there were no recurrent syncopes and no arrhythmia events could be recorded. In 1 patient, syncope was caused by reasons other than arrhythmia.


CONCLUSIONS
ILR is useful in determining the presence or absence of an arrhythmia during symptoms of syncope when conventional diagnostic testing, such as electrocardiogram, Holter monitoring, and/or external loop recording, is inconclusive.
Liu
Zhong-mei
ZM
Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical College, Kunming 650032, China.
Liu
Zhi-ping
ZP
Guo
Tao
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013575:Syncope / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology