LOOP RECORDER IMPLANTATION
An implantable loop recorder (ILR) is a small heart-monitoring device placed under the skin on the chest wall. The device records your heart’s electrical activity, much like an electrocardiogram (ECG), for up to three years.
What is Loop Recorder Implantation?
An implantable loop recorder (ILR) is a small heart-monitoring device placed under the skin on the chest wall. The device records your heart’s electrical activity, much like an electrocardiogram (ECG), for up to three years. It helps in diagnosing abnormal heart rhythms, which can cause issues like fainting, palpitations, or strokes. If such rhythms are detected, the ILR provides valuable information to healthcare providers to determine the best course of treatment, which could include devices like pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs).
Indications
Loop recorder implantation is typically recommended when conventional tests fail to identify the cause of fainting or palpitations. It’s particularly useful in cases where heart problems are likely to cause fainting or when symptoms occur infrequently, making them difficult to detect with standard monitoring. ILRs are also used in cases of unexplained falls in older adults or suspected epilepsy unresponsive to medication.
The Procedure
The procedure involves making a small incision in the chest, creating a pocket under the skin, and inserting the recorder, roughly the size of a flat AA battery. It’s a relatively safe procedure, but potential complications may include bleeding, bruising, infection, mild pain, or damage to the heart or blood vessels.
Post-implantation, you’re usually able to go home the same day. A handheld activator accompanies the device, allowing patients to signal the ILR to store specific periods of heart activity. Before MRI tests, consult with your healthcare provider to avoid potential interference with the device. When the ILR is no longer needed, it can be removed in a similar procedure to the implantation.
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