Mary, age 77 Symptoms: Light-headed Monitor: eTrigger AF 920 Cardiac Event Monitor
Mary, a 77-year-old woman, was concerned about recent episodes of feeling light-headed. Upon examination, Mary's cardiologist prescribed eCardio's eTrigger AF 920 Auto Detect/Auto trigger Cardiac Event Monitor to determine if the light-headedness was being caused by an irregular heart rhythm. Within two days of using the monitor, Mary transmitted five symptomatic episodes to eCardio's lab. After reviewing the transmission and talking to Mary about her symptoms, the eCardio technician established that her arrhythmia was serious. The technician told Mary to call 911 and immediately contacted her cardiologist to let him know that Mary's ECG report had shown sinus rhythm with a bundle branch block progressing to 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree heart blocks and ventricular standstill. The technician informed the cardiologist that Mary was on her way to the emergency room.
When she arrived at her local hospital, Mary met her cardiologist and discussed her symptoms and the appropriate course of medical treatment. Mary was given an external device to help pace her heart while her cardiologist made arrangements for Mary to receive an implanted pacing device the next day.
“Had it not been for the technical skills of the eCardio technician, I may not be here today. The care they took with me to explain my condition was serious enough to go to the ER, without panicking me, made me feel extremely confident that I would be just fine. My pacing device has changed my life for the better. I am grateful to my doctor and to eCardio Diagnostics for the expert attention and care I received.”
- Mary, eTrigger AF920 monitor – pacemaker implant
Joe, age 69 Symptoms: Tachycardia Monitor: H3+ Holter
Joe, a 69-year-old active male, had existing tachycardia episodes that had been managed for several years by routine pharmacological treatment. After experiencing symptoms of feeling like his heart was racing, his wife encouraged him to return to see his cardiologist for an exam.
Given Joe’s previous history with heart problems, he was concerned that his cardiologist would prescribe another bulky monitor that would limit his activity during the monitoring period. Reluctantly he went to see his cardiologist, who prescribed eCardio’s new H3+ Holter monitor for Joe to wear for 24 hours.
During the 24-hour monitoring period, Joe was pleasantly surprised by the small size of the Holter and the minimal impact on his daily routine. When Joe’s cardiologist uploaded his report to the eCardio Diagnostics lab, the arrhythmia was clear: Joe’s report showed sustained atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response for the entire 24 hours. Due to the onset of this new condition, Joe needed a different method of medical management, and his physician prescribed a new regiment including Toprol and Coumadin. As a result, Joe reported he has never felt better.
“The monitor was the size of a AAA battery. It was light, convenient and most importantly, it was small enough to put in my shirt pocket while I played a round of 18.”
- Joe, H3+ Holter – patient recently diagnosed with atrial fibrillation
Susan, age 52 Symptoms: Bradycardia Monitor: H3+ Holter
As a mother of three and full-time successful career woman, Susan often put her family and career ahead of her personal health. While she previously had attributed her reoccurring feeling of extreme tiredness to her overactive lifestyle, when she began having dizzy spells and shortness of breath, Susan realized her symptoms required medical attention. Upon a visit with her physician, Susan was diagnosed with bradycardia. Her physician suggested that Susan wear a 24-hour monitor to ascertain how consistent her bradycardia was in order to determine the right course of treatment. Susan went home with an H3+ Holter monitor for the night.
When Susan returned to her physician’s office, the nurse practitioner took Susan’s device and plugged it into to the USB port on the computer and transmitted Susan’s rhythm information to eCardio’s lab for analysis. Shortly thereafter her physician had a diagnosis: Susan’s report showed an average heart rate in the 40’s dropping to the 30 beat per minute mark, indicating that her heart was not beating enough to pump adequate oxygen to her body. As a result of her report, Susan was admitted to the hospital and received a dual chamber pacemaker to help her heart beat with a normal rhythm.
“Thanks to my quick and easy mini-monitor, I am keeping up with my kids, my career and my life. Thank you eCardio Diagnostics for making a scary process very easy to get through.”
- Susan, H3+ Holter monitor – pacemaker implant