I am being asked by an EP/ cardiologist to have them implant a loop recorder to monitor my heart for an extended period of time. This recorder will be recording continuous EKG readings that is transmitted to the treating cardiologist . It is expected that this will allow for better diagnosis and treatment plan for my afib.
I would be appreciative of your comments in particular from those that have such implant.
Hi execz1, following an out of the blue stroke that was deemed cryptogenic (no obvious cause) I had an ILR implanted. It's a small device about the size of a AAA battery and was fitted by nurse practitioners. I had a dongle to carry and record any obvious events by holding it over the implant and pressing a 'record' button. I had a bedside monitor that remotely sent off reports in the night. My device detected an Afib event 3 months later and my medication was changed from antiplatelet to anticoagulant as a consequence. As far as I have been led to believe this was a singular event so Paroxysmal Afib was the diagnosis. Medication was the only treatment offered to reduce stroke risk.
Subsequently I had a sudden cardiac arrest while running as a result of a left ventricular tachycardia event picked up perfectly by the ILR. I self started but this might have been fatal. It would have made an easy task for a coroner's inquest!
But the ILR as far as I'm aware hadn't prompted the medics seeing any reports to pursue intervention before this event.
I'm responding from the UK. Treatment following this was to fit an ICD (defibrillator) . The ILR was removed because it had done it's job! There is a big downside to having this post hoc diagnosis. Normally syncope (collapse) events happen without the convenient availability of an ECG. So at the time
a tachycardia is inferred as the cause only. An ICD is fitted as a precaution. But in my case the tachycardia was recorded so an ICD was fitted as a prevention. This has implications in the UK for driving. I face an immediate driving ban with the revocation of my licence for a minimum of 6months. Had I not had the ILR fitted I would have face a requirement not to drive for a month without revocation of my licence.
It's a perverse consequence. It may be different in the States and I also think I've read that in the USA you also have access to your ILR data through an app. It might be the case that I haven't been given the full picture of my ILR data as this is privileged to the medics. In our NHS resources are very tight and although a device was fitted it may not be monitored properly. I'll never know unless I invoke a freedom of information request which is long winded.
I thought the ILR was a great thing to have but the outcomes were reactive, after a critical event, and not preventative as I had hoped. Although I can say I haven't knowingly had another stroke.
#chinkoflight
Hello Chincoflight,
Thank you for sharing your very important experience with ILR implantation. I am glad that your ILR lead to taking steps to prevent negative health outcome.
My cardiologist wanted to implant an ILR to get a better picture of my afib . Other than the initial diagnosis of my afib in the ER, doctors visits over 12 years never recorded an afib event nor other deviation from normal rhythm .
It’s been 3 years since my ILR was inserted. Prior to that I had two episodes of fainting, one a dead drop. Had severe internal shakes, migraines and gut issues. I had known mild mitral valve stenosis and seeing a cardiologist annually who didn’t pick up anything unusual during scans nor holter monitor but at least referred me to the EP who carried out this minor procedure and within months had a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. I was put on BBs that I couldn’t tolerate nor which calmed the arrhythmia successfully. The data from the ILR informed the EP that an ablation was probably the best course of action. I’ll be sad when they remove it as it’s brought great comfort knowing someone was checking up on me 
Thank AussieHeart for very helpful comments. It appears that the ILR met it’s purpose by discovering and diagnosing your issue. I wish best of health going forward.
I don't know what to tell you. Not preventative as I hoped. I am not happy.
Thank Kivancsi for sharing your comments .
My expectations of the ILR implant is to identify disorders involving the heart rhythm so the maybe dealt with if possible. This is not to say it is a preventive outcome but rather for the doctors to accurately diagnose what is going on with heart and treat if possible. I hope you are getting this much from your ILR.
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