Has anyone had an insertable Cardiac Monitor?

@jigglejaws94 I had never heard of this before, but I looked it up on "google" and it does sound like an interesting tool Please share, if you want to, how this works.

Basically, it is a tiny insertable cardiac monitor that is placed subcutaneously between 3rd and 4th rib in the chest. It is about one-third the size of a AAA battery. It is called a loop recorder - which means that it records so much and then records over that. So basically, I have a 24/7 ECG inserted in my chest. I have a monitor that is at my bedside. Every night while I am asleep, the device inside me communicates with the patient monitor which is then uploaded to my physician's office. He has software that reports certain activities -- depending on how my device is programmed. It is an excellent diagnostic tool for people who experience intermittent arrhythmias, syncopal episodes or atrial fibrillation. It can be implanted for about 3 years which is the length of the battery life. If you need an MRI done, you can still get one with some special adjustments. I also have a little device which is called a Patient Assistant. If I am experiencing symptoms that I am concerned about -- I just hold the Patient Assistant over the implant and push the button. What this does is mark the reading on the device. So when the information is uploaded, it will be marked. Then I have to contact the doctor's office and let them know what I was experiencing at that time. The doctor then looks at the reading for that time period to see if the symptoms were related to an arrhythmia. The cost is about $20,000 currently but insurance does cover it. The reason it is so high is because they are most often implanted as an outpatient surgery in a hospital. My doctor is working on getting set up to do them in the office which would be a tremendous saving to the patient. The procedure to insert it is very simple -- only requiring local anesthesia. I only had to pay 10 percent so I felt like it was a cost-effective tool in my case -- to have my cardiologist monitor my heart closely for three years. The only other cost is a quarterly cost of about $120 for my physician to interpret my readings. I had a 30 day event monitor placed earlier this year -- and of course, during that 30 day period, my heart didn't have the new worrisome episodes.

Here is a link to the LINQ : http://www.medtronicdiagnostics.com/us/cardiac-monitors/reveal-linq/

@cynaburst is this the same device you have?

No, I have an implantable defibrillator. My device paces me, can shock me if I go into a lethal heart rhythm, and does do some recording. The Linq is basically an implantable holter monitor.

Recently had a heart monitor implant (11/27). Monitors the heart for up to three years. Much better than wearing a holter monitor every so often.

This is great news, @crashnam! I moved your message to this discussion so that you can meet other members who also have/had a heart monitor implant. I'd also like to invite @regeanna @traceysmith to join this conversation and share their experiences with this device.

How are you feeling, Larry? Are you able to continue day-to-day activities?

Hi Kanaaz. Implant went fine. My days have been fair to good for about 6 months. As you may recall I have both intermittent AFIB and PVC's. The PVC's are actually much more bothersome and worrisome than the AFIB. Some days I pretty much just push myself to do things even though the PVC's with all their skips, jumps and hesitations will be driving my crazy. Some days my heart will feel weak, and sensitive like a hair trigger and the slightest move sets off the PVC's and occasional AFIB. Other days, my heart will feel normal, with a normal beat, but still will have the PVC's. Just can't figure it out. Bowled in a league for 40 years, but decided not to bowl this year. Hopefully can get things straightened out so I can feel confident to bowl again. Still smoke and drink black coffee everyday. Just haven't had the willpower to stop for a while to see if it cuts down on any of my symptoms. It's a nervous habit, and of course PVC's and AFIB make me nervous. Thanks for your concern.

Larry @crashnam

Glad to hear that you have a new tool at your disposal, Larry. Does this implantable device send information to your doctor directly or do you have to go in and have it read periodically?

Teresa

It sends the information direct at a specified time at night which is programmed into the system. Mine in particular starts transmitting at midnight.

I had a reveal loop recorder, and I had no events until about a year later. I had complete heart block which would have never been diagnosed without the reveal loop recorder. I'm thankful to God first and foremost and then to my excellent cardiologist who recommended it. This has been a life saving device!