Implantable Loop Recorder (ILR)
An implantable loop recorder (ILR) is a small device that is implanted or injected under the skin of a patient’s chest to monitor their heart rhythm. The device is about the size of 2 matchsticks and is inserted under local anaesthesia using a small incision. The procedure is typically performed on a day case basis and takes only few minutes to insert.
The device continuously records the patient’s heart rhythm and stores vital data in its memory. It can detect and record abnormal heart rhythms, such as arrhythmias or palpitations, that may not be caught during a regular ECG. The ILR can record these events automatically or can be triggered by the patient using a handheld device.
An implantable loop recorder is typically used when a patient has symptoms that suggest an underlying heart condition, but the cause is not clear and the symptoms are too infrequent to be picked up by external monitors. It is also used to monitor patients who have had a previous cardiac event or those who are at risk of developing an arrhythmia.
The data collected by the device can be downloaded and analysed during regular check-ups with the cardiologist to determine the cause of the patient’s symptoms or to make a diagnosis. The device can remain implanted for up to 5 years after which the device can be removed