Loop Recorder Specialist

What is a loop recorder?

An implantable loop recorder (ILR) is a small device that’s used to continuously monitor and record heart rhythms. 

It can do this automatically or be triggered by a hand-held device that you control and use as directed to record rhythms that may coincide with certain symptoms you’re having, such as dizziness.

After surgical placement just under the skin on the left side of your chest, the ILR becomes essentially invisible. It’s designed to last for up to three years and can remain in place during an MRI.

What are the benefits of a loop recorder?

An ILR helps your specialist identify what may be causing your abnormal heart rhythm. The device provides an accurate rendering of your heart rhythm before, during, and after your symptoms. 

This information helps your physician create a specific treatment plan based on that exact arrhythmia.

You may, for instance, require a pacemaker, defibrillator, further diagnostic studies, or long-term treatment with blood thinners. 

Sometimes, the information gathered from a loop recorder rules out arrhythmia as the cause of your symptoms. In that case, your doctor can focus on other potential causes for your symptoms.

Why use a loop recorder rather than another monitoring device? 

An ILR can help diagnose the reasons for unexplained fainting, dizziness, and palpitations. It can also uncover hidden rhythm disorders responsible for strokes. 

Other heart monitors are external devices that record the heart rhythm for a limited time and ignore symptoms that occur outside that window. This often provides an unreliable view of your heart’s function.

An EKG, for instance, is a type of heart monitor that only records the abnormalities occurring during the few minutes of the study. 

It can also highlight abnormalities that may indicate a previous cardiac event. The ILR can provide accurate and detailed information about your heart rhythm every moment of the day.

It’s a small device that’s easily forgettable and designed to allow you to carry out your normal routine without fuss. It may set off a metal detector, however, so you’ll receive a medical device card that identifies its characteristics.

What is the ILR procedure like?

ILR requires a relatively simple procedure for which you’re awake but sedated to reduce anxiety. Local anesthesia prevents pain at the small implant site in the upper left chest, which is closed with one suture. 

The device begins recording your heart rhythm instantly. The device is easily removed once it’s no longer necessary.

If you’re struggling with abnormal heart rhythms, schedule a visit at Premier Cardiology Consultants to discover what treatment options are available for your condition. Call today or book online.