arrhythmia burden
Percentage of time a patient experiences specific arrhythmias, as measured and calculated by cardiac device diagnostics.
Full Definition
A quantitative measure of arrhythmia frequency expressed as the percentage of time a patient spends in a particular arrhythmia, such as atrial fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia. Modern cardiac devices continuously monitor heart rhythm and calculate arrhythmia burden over specified time periods, providing clinicians with objective data for therapy optimization and risk stratification. This metric is particularly important for anticoagulation decisions in atrial fibrillation and for assessing the effectiveness of antiarrhythmic therapies.
Usage
Usage note: Express as percentage; distinguish from episode count or total duration.
In Context
- "The patient's atrial fibrillation burden decreased from 45% to 12% after ablation." — Follow-up clinic note
- "Arrhythmia burden trends were analyzed over the six-month study period." — Clinical research report