Cardiac Monitoring Systems

Monitoring your heart helps capture important information your doctor needs to determine the state of your heart health. Sometimes, monitoring devices are used to diagnose a heart condition. Other times, they are used to help manage a heart problem.

The types of heart monitoring systems used at The University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City represent the latest in the industry. Our heart care team offers a variety of diagnostic and remote cardiac monitoring devices for both short-term and long-term care. We provide cardiac monitoring systems for people with all types of heart conditions.

What are cardiac monitoring systems?

Heart monitoring devices are more compact, sophisticated and insightful than ever before. In the past, patients were responsible for recording symptoms of their heart condition on pen and paper, taking their blood pressure several times a day and relaying this information to their doctor. Now, heart monitoring devices do all the work.

With a cardiac monitoring device, important heart health data can all be monitored, recorded and submitted to your doctor instantly. This eliminates the need for repeated visits to your doctor's office and allows your care team to manage your heart health from a distance.

We offer a variety of appointment types. Learn more or call 913-588-1227 to schedule now.

Types of cardiac monitoring systems

Cardiac monitoring systems can vary depending on whether the device is temporary or permanent and what type of information needs to be captured.

Temporary monitoring

To detect an abnormal heart rhythm, your doctor may recommend the BioMonitor 2. BioMonitor 2 can accurately detect and diagnose atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation, and syncope. It is MRI-compatible, so you have access to important imaging technology when needed. Much like Reveal LINQ, this technology can be easily placed under the skin in a simple, minimally invasive procedure.
Our cardiologists were among the first in the nation to offer Reveal LINQ – a tiny device that wirelessly monitors the heart for up to 3 years. Reveal LINQ is smaller than a triple-A battery. It's inserted beneath the skin in about 30 seconds in a doctor's office, rather than an operating room.

Reveal LINQ can help your doctor answer unexplained fainting or other potential heart-related problems without interrupting your lifestyle. You're also given a small device to hold up to your chest if you feel dizzy, lightheaded or faint. This triggers an alert to your doctor's office and begins transmitting real-time information for quick analysis and possible treatment.
This small, discrete, wireless patch helps detect irregular heart rhythms. It can be worn during day-to-day activities, including sleeping, showering and exercising without discomfort. Zio contains no wires and can be easily hidden under clothing. It is placed directly on your chest without the need for incisions.

Remote monitoring

BIOTRONIK provides continuous monitoring around the clock for people with cardiac monitors, pacemakers, implantable defibrillators (ICDs) or cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices. BIOTRONIK records your heart rhythm and function, as well as your device function, and can alert your care team to changes in your health or device status. This is the world's first cell phone-based remote monitoring system that allows for automatic, reliable follow-up care for you and your implanted device.
If you have heart failure, CardioMEMS can help your care team monitor your heart failure symptoms while you're at home. The implantable wireless sensor measures pulmonary artery pressure and monitors your heart rate. This information is then transmitted to your heart care team so that they can adjust your medications accordingly – helping you avoid unnecessary visits.
If you have an implantable cardiac device, such as a pacemaker or defibrillator, LATITUDE can help monitor your device and communicate with your care team between visits. LATITUDE reads data from your implantable device at scheduled times, and then wirelessly sends that information to your care team. All you have to do is push a button.
The St. Jude Medical Merlin@home system is a remote monitoring option for people with implantable cardiac devices. This wireless transmitter is part of Merlin™ Patient Management – a combination of systems that provides your physician with important information to support informed decisions about your care. Merlin@home monitors your heart function and device performance regularly and submits reports to your care team.

Who should use cardiac monitoring systems?

If your doctor suspects a health condition related to your heart, or wants to ensure your heart works properly after a surgery or new cardiac diagnosis, they may recommend a monitoring system.

What do cardiac monitoring systems diagnose?

Cardiac monitoring systems help your doctor understand your overall heart health by measuring certain aspects of your heart function. Remote cardiac monitoring can check for arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), whether your heart is beating too quickly or too slowly, and which activities affect your heart rate.

Depending on the type of cardiac monitoring system you have, your doctor may evaluate other types of heart function as well. This information can help your doctor diagnose different types of heart problems.

What are the risks of cardiac monitoring systems?

The risks of a heart monitoring system vary depending whether your device is implantable or wearable. Your doctor will discuss any specific risks with you when determining which type of remote cardiac monitoring to recommend for your heart condition. In general, the benefits of using a heart monitoring system outweigh the potential risks.

Before getting your cardiac monitoring system

Your doctor will conduct a series of tests before proceeding with a cardiac monitoring system. Remote cardiac monitoring measures many of the same aspects of your heart health as the tests your doctor performs, but the results are collected over a longer period of time. Your experience in getting a cardiac monitoring system will vary depending on whether the device is temporary or permanent and what type of information needs to be captured.

What to expect from your cardiac monitoring system

Your cardiologist and heart care team will determine if a cardiac monitoring system is right for you. Depending on which method of monitoring is recommended, you may have a minor outpatient procedure to implant the device. Your care team will discuss the benefits and risks of your procedure.

Recovery and results for cardiac monitoring systems

Once in place, your monitor will begin recording personal information about your heart health. You will receive written and oral instructions on how to use your new device. Your doctor or nurse may recommend a trial run or test to ensure your monitor functions properly.

Your care team will monitor your heart function remotely, while you are at home. If anything unusual or alarming is detected, you will be contacted. You will continue scheduled visits to see your care team on a regular basis.

Why choose us for cardiac monitoring systems

Although we take care of sicker patients, our mortality rate is better than the national standard.
Our cardiologists are often the first in the region to adopt new cardiac monitoring technology that improves your care and comfort.
Our physicians were among the first in the nation to offer Reveal LINQ.
Patient satisfaction consistently ranks in the 99^th percentile for our cardiology and heart surgery programs.