title: Value of Ambulatory Electrocardiographic Monitoring in Syncope.
abstract: Implantable loop recorders (ILRs) continuously monitor electrocardiographic signals and perform real-time analysis of heart rhythm for up to 36 months. ILRs are used to evaluate transitory loss of consciousness from possible arrhythmic origin, particularly unexplained syncope, and to evaluate difficult cases of epilepsy and unexplained falls, although current indications for their application in these areas are less clearly defined. This article analyzes the current indications for ILRs according the European Society of Cardiology guidelines on the management of syncope and the European Heart Rhythm Association guidelines on the use of implantable and external electrocardiogram loop recorders, and their limitations.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Service, Cardiovascular Department, PF Calvi Hospital, Via Largo San Giorgio 3, Noale 30033, Venice, Italy. Electronic address: francogiada@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giada
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Division and Syncope Centre, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, Nuovo Ospedale S. Giovanni di Dio, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bartoletti
mesh_terms: D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory / Q000379:methods*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013575:Syncope / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: Arrhythmia; Electrocardiogram; Implantable loop recorders; Syncope; Transient loss of consciousness