Hello everyone, I’m sort of new here but not new to heart issues. VT was found when I was about 26, had a failed ablation within 3 days on the NHS - those were the days!
Last week I had an Implantable Loop Recorder fitted. I had one about 15 years ago but I wanted to let folk know about the procedure these days to put minds at rest.
The recorder itself is now much smaller. It’s about the size of a triple A battery sliced lengthways! I was told the procedure would take approximately 40 minutes. After I arrived at the hospital I was asked to removed all my top half clothing and put on a gown open at the front. They then went through my medical history, allergies and any drugs I’m taking. No special instructions are needed prior to the procedure, you can eat and drink as normal and take any regular medications. I then lay down on the couch. My skin was washed with a disinfectant liquid. A large blue sort of sheet was placed over my entire top half including my head which was a little weird but I turned my head to the left where I could chat to the nurse who was assisting. The recorder is placed on the left side, just below the sternum. Obviously a small incision is needed so I was given a numbing, local anaesthetic injection. This is the “worst” part of the whole thing simply because it stings for a few seconds. I needed 5 injections in total. Then it’s left for about 10 minutes to take full effect. Then the incision is made which was about a cm. I was then told I’d feel some pulling which I did but it wasn’t painful. The recorder is loaded into a plastic type device that looks a bit like a large injection. It’s then placed under the skin. Once in place, large steri strips are placed over the small wound, then folded up gauze and finally a dressing. I was told not to get the dressing wet for five days. The dressing was changed myself two days later. While I was there, the device is checked to make sure it’s all working. I was given a box and instructions as to where to put the electronic receiver type box in my home. Ideally it should be put in the bedroom. The instructions to set it up are simple. The machine monitors all the time and sends a report to the hospital once a day. I have no follow up appointment because the recorder will flag up any issues. The whole procedure took only 30 minutes. I had a small amount of bruising after but I had to no pain at all. I can feel the recorder but it doesn’t bother me at all. The battery lasts for about 3 years. After that time, the clinician will decide if a new one needs fitting, if not, the device can stay in forever! If you have an MRI you must tell the hospital you have this device. I was given a document for airport security. It’s an amazing little bit of kit and the procedure is really easy and nothing to worry about. X
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Bramble2000
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Thank you so much for the procedure description. I'm scheduled to have one inserted in a few weeks. I was diagnosed a long time ago with Long QT Syndrome but getting older and Bradycardia mean it's time for the procedure. I was told I was having the process to assess the need for a pacemaker so I guess my question is how do the people receiving the data from the device feedback to you?
Hi, as far as I know, they will contact you if they detect an issue and get you in for an appointment with you cardiologist. I’ve not got a follow up appointment. They just said they’d be in touch if they pick up anything. X
Thank you so much for this information - people are always asking about what the procedure is like, so it’s really helpful that they can read this. It’s also very reassuring!
Like you, I had an implanted loop recorder many years ago (probably about 12 -13 years) and unfortunately it’s still in there even though the battery died years ago! If I need another functioning loop recorder, I’ll have to have this one removed first.
Can I ask, are they still investigating VT for you? My original one picked up PAF (which is now being treated) and a short VT. The last few months Holter monitors have picked up increasing VTs, so I do wonder if another ILR will be the next step.
Well, my VT was first found but a Holter about 30 years ago. I knew I was experiencing something from about the age of 18 but of course couldn’t get anyone to take it seriously. That all changed when it was first found and I was in hospital within 3 days having an ablation. The cardiologist spent 3 hours trying to find it but couldn’t. I managed ok on Bisoprolol for about another 15 years but started to feel symptoms again when I was pregnant with my 3rd. It was found on a Holter again. I started having contractions at 31 weeks which happened to be the day they found the VT again. I ended up in three different hospitals in two different counties, ending up in a private cardiology room. My cardiologist was trying to keep me calm so put me in a private room. He came to see me that evening and told me I wasn’t going home until the baby was 39 weeks which was when the planned c section was going to be. By now the contractions had stopped. I couldn’t face staying in hospital for that long as I had two little ones to look after! The next day I went into labour properly and the c section was done there and then at 31 weeks! I completely bypassed maternity and spent my recovery on CCU. Then I ran into trouble about 5 years ago when I was living in Italy but they couldn’t find anything. I’m through the menopause now which I think might be causing me problems now. Yes, they’re looking for VT but the loop implant will pick up anything. On my last implantable there were Many many runs of ectopic beats. They were never concerned about those at all even though they make me feel really weird. It could be that’s what I’m experiencing now, sometimes it’s hard to tell. I’m fortunate that the Bisoprolol seems to have served me well for 30 years! I think the implant is an incredible piece of kit. All the best to you. X
Wow, poor you! I can’t imagine how stressful that birth, and the time around the birth, must have been. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been for you with 2 little ones and a new baby… Well done for getting through it!
We’re about the same age, and like you, I’ve been aware of arrhythmia and trying to identify it since I was a teenager. I even remember feeling it when I was a child, but I didn’t tell anyone. Then they found things like ectopics and said, ‘Oh, that’s all it is, you need to stop worrying’. But I knew there was a lot more! It’s only the ILR that really gives peace of mind, knowing it’s picking up everything, isn’t it?
I really hope the ILR identifies what is going on for you - and that it’s proved to be harmless and easily fixable 🙏🏻 Please do let us know? Jx
I think they might be considering it but I’m not sure… I had just had my annual appt when it kicked off, so not due to speak to an EP til next March. The arrhythmia nurse emailed to ask me to wear a home monitor as often as possible (I have a Wellue 1-lead ecg recorder that attaches with electrodes) and record all the events so they can build up a picture of the frequency & severity.
Thank you very much for all the information, my friend is having an LHR implanted tomorrow morning and is very nervous about the procedure. Thanks to you she will now know exactly what to expect 😊
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