Outpatient Clinics and Diagnostic Tests
We offer outpatient clinics for patients with any heart rhythm problem with special focus on atrial fibrillation, pacemakers and defibrillators (ICD) and familial (genetic) heart disease. In addition, each heart rhythm specialist at UI Health is available one clinic day per week to allow continuity of patient care.
Common Diagnostic Tests
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)
A 12-lead surface electrocardiogram (EKG) is essential to the diagnosis of an abnormal heart rhythm and is typically performed during each outpatient clinic visit.
Advanced Heart Monitoring
While an EKG only provides a 10-second snapshot of the patient’s heart rhythm, heart monitoring for an extended period of time (24 to 72 hours, Holter monitor) may be required. Alternatively, patients with sporadic episodes may be fitted with a small device that monitors for a 30-day period (event monitor) or with an implantable device the size of a match stick that is placed under the skin during a 15-minute outpatient procedure (LINQ recorder).
Tilt-Table Testing
Tilt-table testing may be performed in patients with a history of fainting spells. Tilt-table testing is an outpatient procedure performed in the electrophysiology laboratory supervised by experienced nurses and physicians.
