title: [Experience with the use of an implantable loop recorder in a series of older people with falls and suspected arrhythmic syncopes].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review our experience on using an implantable loop recorder (ILR) in patients with recurrent falls, when an arrhythmogenic cause is suspected.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective, observational study of patients with repetitive unexplained falls, suspected syncope, or electrocardiographic abnormalities. All of them had been evaluated by a cardiologist, who decided to implant a loop recorder (ILR) for an accurate diagnosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 13 patients received an ILR. The average falls rate for the sample was 3.3. The mean age was 78 years, and 46% were female, with a mean follow-up period of 24 months. During this time, three patients did not suffer from a new fall. An arrhythmogenic diagnosis was obtained in 5 patients: bradycardia was identified in 4 cases, and tachycardia in one of them. The symptoms did not coincide with a documented arrhythmia in the rest of the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ILR is a helpful tool to establish an arrhythmogenic cause of unexplained and recurrent falls, in this selected sample of older adults.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Alcorcón, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.affiliation: Hospital Nuestra Señora de Sonsoles, Ávila, España.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pilar Sáez
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Alcorcón, Madrid, España. Electronic address: jarubio@fhalcorcon.es.
authors.forename: José Amador
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Rubio
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Alcorcón, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Ester
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cánovas
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Alcorcón, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Esteban
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Alcorcón, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Botas
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013575:Syncope / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*
keywords: Anciano; Caídas; Elderly; Falls; Implantable loop recorder; Registrador implantable de eventos; Sincope; Syncope
vernacular_title: Experiencia con el uso del registrador implantable de eventos en una serie de personas mayores con caídas y sospecha de síncopes de origen arrítmico.