Cardiac monitoring

• The phrase cardiac monitoring generally refers to continuous electrocardiography with assessment of the patients condition relative to their cardiac rhythm.

• It is different from hemodynamic monitoring which monitors the pressure and flow of blood within the circulatory system. The two may be performed simultaneously on critical heart patients.

• It is different from neurological monitoring of intracranial pressure and electroencephalography

• A small monitor worn by an ambulatory patient is known as a Holter monitor

• Transmitting data from a monitor to a distant monitoring station is known as Telemetry or Biotelemetry

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Emergency Medical Services

Ambulance services and other emergency medical services providers utilize heart monitors to assess the patient's cardiac rhythm. Providers licensed or certified at the Intermediate or Paramedic level are qualified to interpret EKGs. The finding of a cardiac dysrhythmia (or for that matter, a normal sinus rhythm) may give additional information about the patients condition or may be a sufficient diagnosis on its own to guide treatment. Treatment for specific cardiac rhythms is guided by ACLS. Basic EMTs are allowed to apply the electrodes and physically operate the monitor but not interpret the rhythm. The most common monitors carried in the United States are made by Medtronic (Physio-Control Lifepak Series) or ZOLL (E and M series), but other brands exist.