WHAT IS A LOOP RECORDER?

 

An implantable loop recorder is a

 type of heart-monitoring device

that records your heart rhythm

 continuously for up to three years.

 It records the electrical signal of

your heart and allows remote

monitoring by way of a small

device inserted just beneath the

 skin of the chest.

WHY MIGHT I NEED A

LOOP RECORDER?

 

An implantable loop recorder

can help answer questions about

 your heart that other heart-

monitoring devices don't provide.

 Because it is implanted,

monitoring can continue for up to

 three years if needed. It captures

 information that a standard EKG or

 holter monitor misses because

some heart rhythm abnormalities

 occur infrequently.

 

Having a loop recorder provides

 information to your physician to

help determine the appropriate

course of treatment based on your

 specific heart rhythm abnormalities.

 It also allows for evaluation of

 treatments, such as medication

effect, and if dosage adjustment is

 needed to control heart rhythm

 abnormalities. Information will

also determine if an ablation

procedure or pacemaker is needed.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS

 OF LOOP RECORDER?

 

• Bleeding and bruising, mild pain

 at the insertion site, and infection.

 You may develop a scar at the

 insertion site.

 

TELL YOUR HEALTHCARE

 PROVIDER IF YOU:

 

• Are pregnant or think you may be

 pregnant. Radiation exposure

during pregnancy may lead to

 birth defects.

 

• Are allergic to or sensitive to any

 medications, contrast, latex, tape,

 or anesthetic medicines (local or

 general).

 

• Are taking any medication that

 include prescriptions, over-the-

counter, and herbal supplements.

 

• Have a bleeding disorder or take

blood thinners, aspirin, or

medications or supplements that

 affect blood clotting. These may

have to be stopped prior to the

 procedure.

HOW DO I GET READY FOR

A LOOP RECORDER

PROCEDURE?

 

• There is no restriction for eating

or drinking prior to procedure.

 

• If you are on a blood-thinning

 medication, you may be asked to

 stop prior to the procedure.

 

• You may drive yourself to your

 appointment, as Intravenous (IV)

 sedation is not used for this

procedure. An oral medication can

 be given to calm nerves, if needed.

 In this case, a driver or arranged

 transportation will be needed.

WHAT HAPPENS PRIOR TO A

LOOP RECORDER PROCEDURE?

 

Your physician will order an EKG,

 holter monitor, and/or tilt table

test. Based on your symptoms and

 arrhythmias found, they will order

a loop recorder to evaluate your

heart rhythm for a longer time

period. This information will be

used to determine what course of

 action is needed to best treat your

 condition.

 

When you arrive to your

appointment, someone will

educate you on how the loop

recorder works and how it

communicates with your physician.

 You will read and sign your consent

 that gives your permission for the

 procedure. You will have the

opportunity to ask your provider

 questions and have anything

explained that you do not

understand. A set of vital signs

will be taken and recorded. You

will be asked to remove any

clothing or jewelry that will be at

 the insertion site. You will be given

 a gown to wear. If you are feeling

 apprehensive, you will be offered a

 mild, oral sedative to relieve your

 nerves.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A

LOOP RECORDER PROCEDURE?

 

The upper left portion of your chest

 will be prepared with a special

soap. A sterile field will be applied

 and surround the insertion site. The

 skin will be injected with a numbing

 medicine. A small incision is made

 and the loop recorder is placed

under the skin. The skin may be

closed with a few stitches, tissue

 glue, and/or medical adhesive

tape called Steri-strips. A bandage

 will be applied.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A LOOP RECORDER PROCEDURE?

 

You will be taken to the recovery

 room. You will get dressed and

another set of vital signs will be

taken and recorded. You will be

given instructions on how to care

for the incision site and bandage.

You will have the opportunity to

discuss questions or concerns

about the loop recorder, how it

works, and what you may need to

do. You will be provided with

written information as well.

AT HOME

 

Once home, you will watch for

signs and symptoms of infection.

You may shower after 24 hours and

 remove the bandage. The incision

site should remain intact. A small

amount of blood on the bandage is

 normal. You may have a small

bruise.

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