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Loop Recorder_Cardiac Patient Information

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LOOP RECORDER PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET THIS IS MODERN MEDICINE

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LOOP RECORDER PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET What is a Loop Recorder A loop recorder is a device implanted under the skin of a patient s chest in order to capture a recording of the heart rate and rhythm The device records fast slow or irregular heart rhythms on a continuous loop for up to three years These devices are used to capture symptoms or episodes experienced that have not been captured on an external heart monitor You will also be given a device activator this is to record symptomatic episodes such as feeling dizzy faint palpitations loss of consciousness skipped beats or heart racing fluttering The implantation procedure is simple minimally invasive and only takes around 15 minutes to complete No overnight stay is required Post Implant Your site of insertion will be assessed by the nurse in recovery before discharge You will be advised on how to take care of the site on returning home If you notice any swelling itching redness movement of the device or any sign of infection please contact Cath Lab Recovery immediately on 01 293 7583 If you notice any of these symptoms out of hours please attend your local emergency department or GP practice You may be given a home monitor This is a device used to follow up your implanted loop recorder remotely This will be decided on by your consultant If you are given a home monitor you will be required to sign a consent form in line with GDPR legislation This will be explained to you by a Cardiac Physiologist prior to discharge You will be given an I D card prior to leaving the hospital It is very important to keep this with you at all times Your device is MRI conditional If you are having an MRI or are going through airport security you must have your implant ID card with you This card is proof of the device you have implanted What is a Home Monitor A home monitor is a device that should be placed by your bedside and should be located no further than 2 metres away from you Please make the Cardiology Department aware if you work night shifts The monitor requires one standard three pin plug socket The home monitor collects new data stored on your loop recorder and automatically transmits it to your implanting hospital Once your home monitor is plugged in no further action is required Home monitoring is checked by the Cardiology Department Monday to Friday It also enables you to manually send through data to be analysed immediately if you have any concerning symptoms Please note manual transmissions are only to be sent in case of emergency and the Cardiology Department must be notified in advance by phone call NB Never unplug your home monitor

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What is a Symptom Activator The symptom activator is a fob key used to mark a symptomatic event such as palpitations dizziness etc It records 2 minutes retrospectively and for a further 5 minutes post activation The importance of this is to decipher whether or not your heart is the cause of your symptoms If you do not use your activator do not worry abnormal rhythms will still be recorded The symptom activator is only used to highlight that a symptom was experienced No information will be lost or missed if you do not use it It is a good idea to show a friend or family member how to use your activator How to use your Activator Step 1 Place the activator over your loop recorder This can be performed over your clothes skin contact is not required Step 2 Press and release the button and the searching light will flash blue Step 3 Once your device has been found you will hear a success tone and the light on the activator will turn green Step 4 When the lights stop flashing remove the device from the loop recorder Loop Recorder FAQs Question 1 Can my loop recorder provide a stimulus to the heart Answer No energy can be delivered from this device Question 2 Can I go about my normal daily activities Answer Yes you can resume normal activity once your wound is fully healed and you have been instructed to do so by your Cardiologist Question 3 How long does the battery last Answer It can last up to three years and the battery status will be monitored by your Cardiology department When the battery has reached end of life your Cardiologist will be informed and the device will be explanted Question 4 Can my loop recorder be explanted before the 3 years are complete Answer If the information recorded on your device is diagnostically relevant and is associated with your symptoms your device may be removed before the battery is depleted Question 5 Will I receive an identification card Answer You will receive an I D card before you leave the Cardiology department You must carry this card on your person at all times in case of emergency Question 6 Can I have an MRI CT scan X Ray or radiotherapy treatment Answer Yes if you are booked to have any of these procedures you must inform the relevant department that you have a cardiac loop recorder in situ and you must bring your I D card to your appointment Question 7 Can mobile phones microwaves induction hobs and other household items interfere with my device Answer No your device is protected from external interference Question 8 Should I carry my activator with me at all times Answer Yes you should carry your activator with you at all times however your loop recorder is continuously recording so if you do not have it at the time of a symptom don t panic your loop recorder is continuously recording Question 9 What do I do if I misplace my activator Answer Please contact your Cardiology department and they can arrange a replacement for you Question 10 Can I go through airport security Answer Yes you can you must bring your I D card and present to security personnel

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Home Monitoring FAQs Question 1 What do I do with my home monitor on returning from the hospital Answer Simply plug in the home monitor within two metres of your bedside ideally on a bedside locker Question 2 How do I know my home monitor is working Answer If the screen is dark press the grey button The screen will light up and show the date of your last successful transmission Occasionally a day may be missed and the system will try to send the data for the next 14 days The Cardiology department will monitor this closely and contact you if your monitor has become disconnected Question 3 What do I do if I am going on holidays Answer You can take your home monitoring box with you the box uses 4G network so will work in most countries If you decide not to bring your box your recordings won t be lost The recordings will simply be downloaded when the loop recorder is once again in range of the home monitoring box If you are planning on going away for an extended period of time please inform the Cardiology Department Question 4 What do I do if the monitor lights up Answer You don t need to do anything This is the monitor looking for software updates Question 5 What will happen to my loop recorder and home monitor if there is a power cut Answer No action is required the loop recorder has an internal battery and will continue to operate the home monitor box will switch back on once the power has returned Question 6 Should I plug out my home monitor at night time Answer No never plug out your home monitor it will not over heat when plugged in and it will not use excess electricity Question 7 What do I do if my device gets removed by another hospital Answer Please contact the Beacon Cardiology department so your file can be updated You may wish to drop your home monitor to the Beacon Hospital cardiology department to be disposed of Question 8 What should I do if I transfer my care to a non Beacon consultant operating from another hospital Answer Please contact the Beacon cardiology department so your file can be updated If required your home monitor can be transferred to another follow up centre Please note that the Beacon Hospital s Cardiology department is open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday If you are experiencing symptoms outside of these hours please attend your local emergency department If you are experiencing chest pain please attend your local emergency department as chest pain cannot be assessed by this device

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Contact Cardiology Main Reception 01 293 6694 Cardiology Pacing Clinic 01 293 6036 01 650 4712 Cath Lab Recovery 01 293 7583 Medtronic Directo Helpline 01 439 3068 Beacon Hospital Sandyford Dublin 18 D18 AK68 Tel 01 293 6600 www beaconhospital ie Version 01 072020

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