May 27, 2009 - The Cardiopulmonary Department at Cibola General Hospital purchased a new Holter Monitor, which is a portable electrocardiograph machine, to replace the existing hospital equipment. The new equipment will help the full-service department continue to provide high-quality, technologically up-to-date, cardiopulmonary services to the residents of the community.

The Holter Monitor records the heart's rhythm over a longer period of time (typically 24 – 48 hours). Seven small electrodes are attached to the patient's chest and connected to a small portable electrocardiograph machine. The patient goes about his/her usual daily activities during this procedure. Holter monitoring may be used when arrhythmia is suspected but not seen on a standard or signal-average ECG, since arrhythmias may be momentary in nature and not seen during the shorter recording times of the standard ECG.

“Cibola General Hospital is committed to purchasing the most technologically advanced equipment to provide patients with the best quality service possible,” says Michelle Martin, Cardiopulmonary Director. “By offering Holter Monitoring, using advanced equipment, we save our patients a trip to Albuquerque or Gallup to receive the test.”

Holter Monitoring is just one of the many services the Cibola General Hospital Cardiopulmonary Department offers. These services include; Pulmonary Function Tests, Cardiac and Pulmonary Stress Tests, Electrocardiograms, Extended Cardiac Event Monitoring, Hemodynamic Assessments, Sleep Studies, Electroencephalograms, and educational services for patients.

For more information about Holter Monitoring or Cardiopulmonary Services available, please contact the Cardiopulmonary department at 287-5270.