Loop recorder battery change.

[Davebe]

I had my check up with the EP yesterday and was told that things are all O.K. except for the continuing ectopics and some flutter. Then he told me that one reason he wanted to see me was to inform me of the change of the battery in the loop recorder. Then he told me that the one already fitted is out of date so the whole thing will have to be changed. It will be done in December. The procedure should only take about 20 minutes under local anaesthetic . Another ablation was also mentioned. Oh well, bang goes another New Year, my ablation was Dec 30th 2014.

[Mickey16]

Hi Davebe,

I have been watching to see if anyone replied to your post, as I do not have a Loop recorder, but do have a Pacemaker. I have not had a change of battery yet, so am not much help to you at the moment. I questioned my EP on what happens with a battery change and he didn't make a big thing of it which was reassuring.

Just to say, I hope all goes well for you with your forthcoming dates.

Best wishes

Mickey16

[Davebe in reply to Mickey16]

Hiya Mickey16. I've not had a pacemaker and this upcoming change of battery is the first change, so I'm learning myself. I've no worries about it though. It's only about the size of a mobile phone chip and no pain being put in so I can't see it being any trouble being changed. Thanks for your reply and good luck. Dave

[CaroleF]

I don't know what make of loop recorder you have, but I attended a Patients Focus Group sponsored by Medtronic in Birmingham last Saturday. The meeting was primarily to give feedback on the new developments Medtronic have under consideration and also for us patients to give some insight as to why some people refuse to have one inserted in the first place.

If you have had your loop recorder more than a couple of years there is certainly a much smaller one now in use - so that would explain the 'out of date' bit. We were also told (in a general Q&A session) that once the battery in a loop recorder was dead, the device should be removed.

You are clearly an 'old hand' so know that the insertion is a simple procedure that should hold no fears and, now that the new device is really very small, even simpler than the first one you had. We were given a demo (using a sort of plastic lump of skin/flesh) by a consultant cardiologist. The actual insertion took less than a couple of minutes so I'm guessing that 20 mins would also cover the time for the local anaesthetic to take effect and for the closure of the (tiny) insertion wound.

[Davebe in reply to CaroleF]

Good morning CaroleF. Thanks for your reply. I believe it's the reveal that I have inserted. You say that they are getting smaller? I'd have thought that couldn't be done. This one's really small as it is. It can't be seen. The lump at the site has gone. I knew that the battery would have to be changed sooner or later but as I was told by the EP he may upgrade the device anyhow. Thanks for the information. Dave x