What is it?

It is a revolutionary medical device that monitors the heart!  It is a fantastic way of finding out why people faint or have dizzy spells. The Reveal Implantable Loop Recorder (ILR) can determine if fainting is related to heart rhythm problems in 94% of cases. Smaller than a pack of gum, the Loop Recorder is inserted just beneath the skin in the upper chest. This is done as an out-patient procedure and it takes typically 15 to 20 minutes.

Why is it done?

The Loop Recorder captures an E.C.G. during the actual fainting (dizziness) episode, which allows the doctor to confirm or rule out an abnormal heart rhythm. If the faint is not heart-related it enables the doctor to focus on other possible causes. Most importantly, diagnosing the cause of fainting (or dizziness) can lead to effective treatment more quickly.

How is it done?

Once you have had up to three "faints" successfully captured on the device (using an activator over the Loop Recorder, a green light on the hand held device will confirm that an E.C.G. is being stored) a visit to the E.C.G. department is necessary to retrieve the stored E.C.G. from the its memory and for it to be analysed. You must telephone the department to confirm your visit, which may take up to 20 minutes. During this time , the technician will interrogate the Loop Recorder by placing a programming head over the site to download your events. These are printed out (and saved to a disc) for further analysis by the doctor. These events will be cleared before leaving the department so further events can be stored.