What is a Heart Monitoring and Diagnostic Device
Monitoring and Recording Heart Rhythms
Finding the cause for unexplained fainting can be challenging. Often times, the symptoms occur so infrequently that they are difficult for a healthcare team to observe.
A medical device can help with this additional monitoring. A heart monitoring and diagnostic device, also referred to as an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM), may help your doctor determine if an abnormal heart rhythm is the cause of your fainting.
The ICM is a small implantable device that:
- Continuously monitors heart rhythms.
- Records heart rhythms automatically or by using a hand-held patient activator.
- Is implanted just beneath the skin in the center chest area during a simple procedure.
Other types of heart monitors are attached to the outside of your body and are limited to monitoring your heart for two to 60 days. The insertable cardiac monitor can be used for long periods of time or up to three years, increasing your chances of capturing your heart signal during a fainting spell.1
How it Works
The ICM continuously monitors your heart’s activity in the form of an electrocardiogram (ECG).
- The insertable cardiac monitor automatically records abnormal heart rhythms, even if you sleep through them.
- When a fainting spell occurs, you or your family member place a small hand-held activator over the cardiac monitor and press a button to record ECG with symptoms.
- The device records the heart’s signal before, during, and after the unexplained fainting spell and identifies the episode on your electronic heart record.
Reference
- Edvardsson N, Frykman V, van Mechelin R, et al. Use of an implantable loop recorder to increase the diagnostic yield in unexplained syncope: results from the PICTURE registry. Europace. February 2011;13(2):262-269.