Having an Insertable Cardiac Monitor

If you have experienced episodes of dizziness and fainting and their cause remains unexplained, your doctor may prescribe an Insertable Cardiac Monitor (also known as an Insertable Loop Recorder). This type of cardiac monitor will continuously record your heart’s rhythm over long periods of time. If you experience another fainting episode after receiving the monitor, your doctor can access and download information from the monitor, which may help to determine if your fainting was caused by a heart related problem.

An insertable cardiac monitor is a small implantable device that is inserted just beneath the skin during a short outpatient procedure in the Electrophysiology (EP) Lab. The device continuously monitors heart rhythms and records them either automatically or when you use a hand-held patient assistant if you feel dizzy or faint.  

What to tell your healthcare provider

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take. This includes over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen and aspirin. This also includes vitamins, herbs and other supplements.

Tell your healthcare provider if you:

• Have had any recent changes in your health, such as an infection or fever
• Are sensitive or allergic to any medicines, latex, tape, or anesthesia (local and general)
• Are pregnant or think you may be pregnant 
  
  

Tests before your procedure

• Before your surgery, you may need an electrocardiogram (ECG) which is a simple non-invasive recording of the electrical activity in your heart.  
• During this test, sticky pads called electrodes will be put on your chest. Wires will be attached to the pads and the wires will lead to a machine that will record the electrical activity of your heart for a short period of time. 
  
  

Getting ready for a loop recorder implantation

• Talk with your healthcare provider about how to get ready for your procedure.
• You may need to stop taking some medicines before the procedure, such as blood thinners and aspirin.
• Just before the procedure, you will be asked to sign a consent form that gives your permission for the doctor to do the procedure. Read the form carefully. Ask questions if something is not clear. 
  
  

During your procedure

• The insertable cardiac monitor is smaller than the size of a house key. It will be inserted just beneath the skin of the chest in a simple outpatient procedure.
• During the brief procedure, the insertion area will be numbed with local anesthesia, a small incision (cut) will be made, and the monitor will be inserted through this incision.
• The device is usually inserted on the left side of your breastbone at about the level of your nipple. The doctor will close your incision with surgical tape and apply a special bandage over the surgical tape that should remain in place for 1 week. You will most likely be awake and able to communicate with your nurse and doctor during the entire procedure.  
  
  

After your procedure 

• You will be shown how to use the hand held patient assistant (recording activator), if you need one.
• You will likely go home the day of the procedure. You will be able to go home by yourself if you do not receive any medications that would cause sedation (sleepiness) during the procedure.
• If you do receive sedating medication, you should be able to go home about 2 hours after the procedure is complete. You would also need a responsible adult to escort you home.
• You can take over the counter pain medicine as directed by your doctor if you need it. Talk with your healthcare provider about what is best to take.
• You should be able to go back to your normal activities as soon as you feel able to but your doctor or nurse will give you specific instructions about this before you go home.   
  
  

Follow-up care

• Make a follow-up appointment as directed by your healthcare provider.
• Tell your cardiologist if another healthcare provider wants you to get a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test.
• An MRI may cause your insertable cardiac monitor to display a false reading.
• You may keep your loop recorder for up to 3 years.
• When you no longer need it, you will need to have it removed in a similar procedure.  
  
  

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