PROCEDURES
LOOP RECORDER INSERTION
A loop recorder is a small type of heart-monitoring device that gets inserted under the chest skin overlying the heart to monitor your heart rhythm continuously for up to 3 years to assist with the diagnosis of abnormal heart rhythms that can cause a number of problems such as fainting.
WHY DO I NEED IT?
For those who experience severe heart palpitations only once every few weeks or months, monitoring the heart for 24hrs is unlikely to catch a palpitation. An implantable loop recorder is thus inserted by your cardiologist during a simple procedure to monitor the heart rhythm over the years.
An implantable loop recorder allows for long-term heart rhythm monitoring and is used to guide the diagnosis and find the cause for fainting, palpitations, very fast or slow heartbeats, and even hidden rhythms that can cause strokes.
HOW IS IT DONE?
You will be awake for this procedure. During a minor procedure which only takes 20 minutes, Dr van Rensburg will give you a local anaesthetic to numb the area. She will then make a small incision in the chest area directly above your heart. The small device (about as big as a small flash drive) is then inserted under the skin, and the incision is closed with a stitch.
WHAT ABOUT AFTERWARDS?
After the procedure, you can continue with your normal daily activities. The loop recorder then works like an electrocardiogram (ECG), monitoring the electric signals from the heart. With wireless technology, this information is sent to your cardiologist to interpret. Dr van Rensburg may also ask you to keep a diary of your symptoms, noting exactly when you experience them.
The loop recorder should not interfere with your daily life as it is designed to be safe and almost invisible. You will probably only need to see your cardiologist for routine check-ups while the device is implanted until a diagnosis can be made.