Publications
We’ve asked the PAREXEL London unit Doctors and Clinical staff to write a summary/overview about some of the different trial types that we conduct here at the PAREXEL unit in London and some of the procedures that you may encounter during your participation in a trial with PAREXEL. This information may help you when making a decision about what kind of trial you might choose to participate in.
This month’s topic is:
What is ambulatory ECG?
Ambulatory ECG recordings are often used to screen healthy volunteers before inclusion to clinical trials as well as to assess the safety of new trial drugs. Ambulatory ECG’s are also called holter monitors within the unit.
An Electrocardiogram or ECG records the electrical activity of the heart.
The Heart produces tiny electrical impulses which spread through heart muscle to make it contract. The ECG machine records electrical an impulse coming from your body it does not put any electricity into your body.
This test continuously records the electrical activity of your heart when you are walking about (ambulatory) and doing your normal daily activities.
What does the test Involve?
Small self adhesive electrodes will be attached to select locations on the skin on your chest. The skin is first cleaned and if you are very hairy it may need to be shaved. The electrodes are connected to a small lightweight recorder you can attach to a belt and wear around your waist. It will take 10 minutes for electrodes and recorder to be fitted. You wear the recorder for 24 hours including when you are asleep. The recorder must not get wet so you should not bath or shower when you are wearing it. You should also refrain from taking alcohol and caffeine, and from performing strenuous exercise whilst wearing it. You will be asked to return to the unit to have the recorder removed the following day.
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