Has anyone had an insertable Cardiac Monitor?

Posted by jigglejaws94 @jigglejaws94, Oct 12, 2016

Just curious if anyone else has a Reveal LINQ implant ?? I had one inserted in July of this year to monitor my palpitations. I have had palpitations for years but earlier this year they changed (at least for a while) and I experienced shortness of breath and pain with the palpitations.

I just think this is really cool technology.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.

chrispa | @chrispa | Sep 11, 2021

In reply to @jigglejaws94 "Basically, it is a tiny insertable cardiac monitor that is placed subcutaneously between 3rd and 4th..." + (show)

@jigglejaws94

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/

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marielv | @marielv | Feb 9, 2020

In reply to @drshyviolet "I have had my Reveal Linq since November 2018. It was placed because I have history..." + (show)

I have had my implant since June 2017 Medtronic monitor at home, one to attach to my purse for recording episodes outside the home. I see my Heart Doctor every 3 months but I have a loop test every 60 days. My implant is only a pain when I drive as the seat belt will rub the chest area. Mine is located above the left breast, anyone else. I will faint without warning, and then I have the star burst all the time.

slynnb | @slynnb | Jan 16, 2020

I have had one for a year. It is amazing that the technology has advanced so much. Only a few years ago, you had to wear a monitor on your waist attached to wires sand stick on EKG pads on your chest, etc.

kelton | @kellycross | Jan 4, 2020

I had a linq monitor implemented over a year ago - with no results or data shared with me during the past14 months. I am very lean and it pokes my ribs often. I am considering having it removed. Any idea about the removal process???

ihkelson | @ihkelson | May 21, 2019

My daughter had a Linq implanted about a month ago. Since that time I have found the transmission of data very difficult. I believe that this is because we have very poor cellular service where we live. It is my understanding that the care link patient monitor does not transmit unless the linq records an event or you manually send a transmission of an event that your marked with the "clicker." Is that accurate? It feels like I am constantly checking the the care link monitor to see if it has sent anything and sometimes it does and when I check in with our physician, they say that it is nothing. But I thought it only send a report if the linq recorded a problem. Do I have a misunderstanding about when transmissions are sent? Any clarification would be appreciated! thank you!

drshyviolet | @drshyviolet | Apr 1, 2019

I have had my Reveal Linq since November 2018. It was placed because I have history of palpitations, dizziness, and have fainted a couple of times. My cost for the procedure was about $25,000. And my monthly (yes, monthly) cost for remote monitoring is $376 (of which my insurance covers $74). I don't actually see anyone, and never hear what's going on. Does that seem unreasonable to anyone else? I haven't actually seen my doc, or a nurse, or a device tech since the week after the procedure, and I'm being treated abysmally by clinic staff. Also, does anyone else have pain? I can't even tolerate a thin scarf or cloth touching the site. I accidentally brushed it with my fingertips on Sunday and nearly threw up from pain. I wake up in the night, and all the nurse would say was "well, we implant these in 8-year olds and never have any problem." Advice is welcome!

warpedtrekker | @warpedtrekker | Dec 19, 2018

I was supposed to get a Linq at one time, due to AFIB. But now he just wants me to use my Kardia Mobile ECG device with my phone. The problem is, I get racing heart sometimes in my sleep, and other palpitations and PAC/PVC's and the Kardia device won't pick it up. Because it is not continously recording. I may have to just get a new Apple Watch that detects AFIB and monitors heart rate.

Does the Linq pick up PVC's and other issues?

rgage65 | @rgage65 | Dec 14, 2018

I’m on my second one just got a new implant today my first lasted almost 4 years it definitely helps the doctor an gives me peace of mind just knowing that I have it

jigglejaws94 | @jigglejaws94 | Sep 24, 2018

In reply to @starfirey2k "Hi, I have had my medtronics loop recorder since april 2018, here are some of the..." + (show)

Hi -- I think a lot of your questions can be answered with this info: CareLink Patient Services at 1 (800) 929-4043. They are available to answer your questions from 7 am - 7 pm CT, Monday - Friday - and asking these questions.

Your questions:
1) I don't think it is a problem to change doctors as long as you notify CareLink.
2) If something comes up on my report, my physician contacts me usually via MyChart notification message. Also if you don't have your Patient Assistant with you but have some symptoms, you can just note the time and the symptoms and then send a message or call your doctor with that information. Or even when I do mark with the PA -- I still send a note explaining why I marked at that time.
3) Yeah, it would be great to get access to what the doctor has access to. Darn.
4) My parameters were not initially discussed with me too much. But because I started having some specific problems that we were trying to catch -- I talked with my doc about adjusting the parameters. They were set at ridiculous parameters initially, in my opinion - at least for me. Nothing recorded unless less than 40 bpm or higher than 150. We changed this to 50 and 120.
5) Regarding the battery -- talk to the CareLink folks about that. I'm not sure.

I suppose it depends on the cardio office that you deal with but mine is very responsive. Whenever they get a report that is concerning, they are on it and checking it.

My biggest disappointment is that the Reveal LINQ does not record my palpitations. It wasn't explained well to me before I got it. But it has been a handy little tool inside of me in the past few months when I've had trouble with my adrenaline levels and high heart rates. I hope it proves to be a very helpful tool in your case.

Sharon

starfirey2k | @starfirey2k | Sep 24, 2018

Hi, I have had my medtronics loop recorder since april 2018, here are some of the questions that I would ask ,
1. what if I change doctors? will it be easy to transfer the monitoring of this device?
2. how are the alerts handled by your doctor ? when sent by the monitoring company. ( I know there have been some that were sent to my doctor, that have not been mentioned or discussed.)
3. I also inquired with the monitoring company if I could also get a copy of what is being sent to my doctor? flat out no!
4. you should also discuss with your doctor what is the limits setup on the device? and should it be set lower or higher?
5. what happens if the battery fails within the 3 yr period? who is responsible for that? and who will pay for it.
my real concern is what happens to the alerts and or data that is sent to my doctors office? who takes care of that? or does it just sit there like the documents on the fax machines.....
I am very happy to have this device to watch what is happening with my heart now. at least there are records of the data....

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