Patch Versus Traditional Ambulatory ECG Monitoring in Children

Abstract

Abstract Patch ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG) monitors may provide an advantage over traditional wired ambulatory ECG devices, such as Holter and event monitors, but there is limited data comparing their clinical impact in the pediatric population. This retrospective cohort study included outpatients 0–18 years old who received ambulatory ECG monitoring at our institution. A cohort consisting of all patients evaluated with a Holter or event monitor between 5/2011–2/2013 (prior to patch ECG use) was compared with a time-matched cohort from 2015 to 2017, when patch monitors (Zio) were the sole ambulatory ECG devices used in our practice. Chart review was conducted to determine the clinical impact of all monitor results. Cardiologists prescribed patch monitors more frequently than traditional monitors (1 per 11.5 vs 21.8 clinical encounters, p