Implantable Loop Recorder

[rothwell]

Because I had expressed concerns to my GP about frequent episodes of AFa few months ago he wrote to my Electrophysiologist/ Cardiologist. I eventually had an appointment with himlast week (first time since my second failed ablation in 2019). He has suggested that I have an Implantable Loop Recorder fitted (this can remain in place for 3 years apparently) with the aim of maybe a third ablation. Having looked this up on our AF website it appears that there are two problems with this. One is the need to inform the DVLA and possible effect on driving licence and the other is the constant refusal of travel insurance. I would be grateful if anyone can tell me their experience with Thist type of heart rate. recorder.

Thank you

[CDreamer]

Mmmm… - you have to inform DVLA but that shouldn’t stop you driving unless your doctor has told you that you should not drive or you are having symptoms such as dizziness or feeling faint. It will be the underlying condition, not the implant itself, which will influence your travel insurance and your ability to drive. May I suggest you look at the BHF leaflet -

bhf.org.uk/informationsupport

Sorry I have no personal experience of this, only living with a pacemaker which made no difference to my driving or travel insurance.

[JaneFinn]

Yes, I echo what CDreamer says here, in my own experience it’s the underlying condition or symptoms that would be the issue, not the Implanted Loop Recorder. I’ve had 2 of them and neither time have they affected my driving licence, or my travel insurance. I’ve only ever had the standard insurance through my bank and notified them of my conditions and any ongoing treatments.

I realise that people often can’t get insurance if they are awaiting or undergoing current tests, so I wonder if a problem for some people happens if the ILR is viewed as ongoing testing? That’s not been my experience. I’ve explained the ILR as being a permanent monitoring device for my AF, and no one has seen it (so far) as an issue. (Much like a diabetic might have a permanent monitoring device, perhaps?) If it were to identify new and more dangerous arrhythmia it might change things regarding both driving and travel insurance, but once again that is more about the condition and symptoms than the monitoring itself.

Might be worth just ringing your holiday insurance to ask, if you’re worried?

From my own experience, I can only say how lucky you are to be offered an ILR - and I’d grab the opportunity with both hands! Good luck

[David21]

I had a LR put in 6 months ago but the need to inform DVLA has never been mentioned - suddenly I am concerned about this. Am I to be penalised for my silence? Many thanks again for the support that is always shown on this site

[CDreamer in reply to David21]

I very much doubt it as it seems only applies if you have an ICD (implantable cardiac defibrillator) for a serious Arrythmia. Normally it’s a tick box exercise for arrhythmias which you do online, in fact I couldn’t find anything for sub-cutaneous Loop Monitor, only notifying DVLA if you have an Arrythmia.

Arrhythmia ✘- Must not drive if arrhythmia has caused or is likely to cause incapacity.

Driving may resume without DVLA notification only after:

■ underlying cause has been identified

■ arrhythmia is controlled for at least 4 weeks

Must notify DVLA if there are symptoms that are likely to cause incapacity and/or the arrhythmia is not controlled for at least 4 weeks, and an underlying cause has not been identified.

For the purposes of this guidance ‘incapacity’ is defined as any condition, symptom or treatment that is likely to cause an individual to be unable to safely control or stop a vehicle.

[David21 in reply to CDreamer]

Phew - Many thanks for this

[quanglewangle]

I have had AF since around 2010 that progressed to permanent somewhere along the way. following some episodes of weakness I was given an ILR and this detected occasional heart stoppages of up to 14 seconds that coincided with faints and a blackout - hence a pacemaker and I am now on my second (they are replaced 7-10 years when the continuous monitoring shows it is time. The ILR was also monitored remotely and was removed at the same time as the pacemaker was inserted.

While the faints were happening I stopped driving and was cautious when crossing the road, but as already advised in other comments simply having an ILR or pacemaker should not stop you driving or travelling as long as you notify the appropriate people. The whole purpose of pacemakers and Defibrillator pacemakers is that we can continue to function normally and I guess the same applies to diabetes control devices. The ILR like an intelligent watch simply monitors what is going on and is irrelevant until or unless something awry is detected.....

[timetabler]

I had a Loop Recorder fitted [it was simple op, done by a technician rather than surgeon] because of queries about whether my heart was sometimes stopping.

The data from that gadget showed that I needed a PaceMaker [which was fitted by a surgeon this time, quite soon afterwards].

I think (the data from) the Loop Recorder probably saved my life.