RECORDING RHYTHMS OF THE HEART

Cardiologists sometimes find it necessary to study a Patient’s heart functions over a lengthy period of time. The Implantable Loop Recorder, or ILR, is just the device for this. It monitors the heart by recording the heart rhythm continuously for up to three tears. This it does absolutely unobtrusively and without the need for any care or maintenance during implantation. The Patient is completely at ease to go on with his or her normal life without any hindrance, so much so that it is often necessary to have an alert system to ensure periodic remote checkups and even removal of the device in time. A small device is inserted just beneath the skin of the chest.

This subcutaneously implanted device monitors the electrical activity of the Heart, such that the experienced Cardiologist can predict possibility of future disease or harmful event relating to the Cardiovascular System, and prescribe suitable treatment in time. Holtars were once commonly used to monitor heart rhythms, but these strap-on external devices were not only heavy, but obtrusive, and 24 hours was usually the maximum that could be comfortably tolerated by Patients. But now, you can monitor your heart rhythm with implantable loop recorder, which give continuous recordings for over THREE YEARS for Cardiologists to interpret.

Uses

The Implantable Loop Recorder, or ILR, has a number of important uses. It is often used to look for a cause of Fainting, Recurrent Palpitations, Light Headedness, Dizziness, Seizures and very fast or slow Heartbeats. Hidden Rhythms can cause Strokes, and need to be detected early, to prevent it from severely affecting the Patient. New devices can store up to 60 minutes of recordings on their memory. Thirty minutes is generally reserved for automatic storage of arrhythmias through pre-programmed criteria. The remaining thirty minutes can be divided into a number of selectable manually triggered recordings of answers to symptoms which may be caused by an arrhythmia.

Is It A Pacemaker?

The ILR is not a Pacemaker.  It records electrical activity in a Patient’s Heart, but does not regulate or control it. It is a Cardiac Event Recorder.

Implanting The Device

The ILR is implanted just under the skin of the chest to the left of the breastbone.

Size

The ILR weighs only 0.5 ounces, and the dimensions are 61mm by 19mm by 8mm.

Pain Or Gain

The ILR is generally not found painful by Patients, or even noticeable. So far, site pain has been observed in only two cases.