LOOP RECORDER SYSTEM

The loop recorder system is useful in the presence of symptoms and/or suspected arrhythmic events. It is particularly useful when the suspected arrhythmia (especially if asymptomatic) or symptoms occur rarely and are therefore not recordable with other systems such as cardiac Holter monitors.

What is a loop recorder?

The loop recorder is a small device consisting of a battery and an electronic circuit, which allows the heartbeat to be recorded without inserting catheters into the heart.

How is it implanted?

The loop-recorder implantation is performed under local anesthesia. Through a skin incision the loop-recorder is inserted under the skin and the small wound is closed with a few stitches. After the time necessary to obtain the clinical diagnosis or when the battery runs out the device is explanted. The explantation requires the skin incision, the extraction of the device and the subsequent closure of the skin with absorbable stitches.

RISK

The risk of loop recorder implantation/explantation is generally very low. Complications that may occur include hematoma, infections at the implant site.