Holter monitoring at Tygerberg Hospital, 1979-1983--an appraisal

Over a period of 4 years Holter monitoring was performed on 607 patients in the Division of Cardiology at Tygerberg Hospital. Indications for monitoring were broadly grouped into four categories: (i) evaluation of symptoms suggestive of disorders of cardiac rhythm (210 patients); (ii) evaluation of arrhythmias associated with a specific underlying cardiac condition (139 patients); (iii) evaluation of a previously documented or suspected arrhythmia (233 patients); and (iv) miscellaneous reasons (25 patients). Findings are presented and aspects of Holter monitoring are discussed. Finally, some recommendations for improving the clinical value of our Holter analyses are made.