What is an ILR?
It is a small device that contains a battery and electronic circuits.
ILR’s are offered to and implanted in patients who have symptoms
or possible symptoms that could be the result of an arrythmia in the
heart.
The ILR is implanted under the skin on the chest, it records an
ECG which allows it to monitor the heart rate and heart rhythm.
The device is a monitor only so cannot treat symptoms. It works by
constantly recording and deleting on a loop.
The device is inserted under the skin. It is a small injectable device. You may be able to feel the device under your skin, this is normal. Do not try to move or turn the device. The wound and device site can feel uncomfortable for the few weeks. If the site becomes red, hot or itchy or is oozing blood or pus call the device clinic urgently on 01253 957739 (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm).
When you are discharged – relax and rest for 24 hours, take your regular medication as normal, take pain killers if needed. It is normal to have slight bruising around the wound. The wound is glued so needs to be kept clean and dry. You can shower and bath, but do not soak it. The glue will eventually come off – do not pick or pull it off.
There are no driving limitations with this device but there may be limitations regarding your symptoms – please discuss this with your Cardiologist.
Inform airport security staff that you have an ILR and show them your ID card.
ILR have no limitations to electrical equipment.
Most hospital equipment is safe. MRI scans are safe. If you are referred for an MRI scan inform them of your ILR.
The batteries in the ILR last between 3 and 5 years.
You will receive an appointment for a telephone call 4-6 weeks after the implant. This will be mainly to check the wound is healed and answer any questions about the monitoring system.
After this appointment you will be monitored continuously using the app or relay monitor. You will not need to attend the hospital. ILR monitors are reviewed frequently by the hospital via the Carelink system, and you will be contacted if the team has any concerns.
The ILR can be monitored from home. This can be done via a phone app if you have a compatible smart phone or tablet. If your device is not compatible a monitor to keep at home will be sent to you.
Before attending for the implant appointment please download the ‘My Carelink Heart’ app.
Scan the QR code by opening the camera on your smart phone or tablet.
Do not worry if your device is not compatible. Inform the staff at
your implant appointment and they will arrange for a remote monitor
(My Carelink Relay monitor) to be used with your ILR and give you an activator.
If you don’t have a compatible device, the team implanting your ILR will give you or order you a relay monitor.
This will need to be plugged in all the time at home, ideally next to your bed. Once this is plugged in the hospital can start receiving information from your ILR.
As well as the device implanted in your chest you will need a symptom activator. This can either be a button via the app on a
compatible phone or tablet or handheld activator which you are given if you don’t have a compatible phone or tablet.
It will store information in one of two ways:
Symptom activated: By using your symptom activator or the patient
app the device will record a 15 min recording (14 mins prior to
activation and 1 min post). This allows for you to recover from your
symptoms, find your activator or phone and use it.
Automatic: The device is looking for arrhythmias on its own. If it
senses a fast, slow or abnormal rhythm it will automatically store a
recording.
We can monitor your heart rhythm from your ILR either via a remote
monitor or via the My Carelink Heart app on a compatible phone or tablet.
On the app: select ‘record a new symptom’ and follow the onscreen prompts to complete the transmission.
For this reason, always keep your phone or tablet on or near you for quick access to the app. Always leave the app open in the
background with Bluetooth turned on so it can connect to your ILR.
With the relay monitor: You will be given a patient activator – see picture below. You will need to carry this with you at all times so you can use it when you have symptoms. Please press the button on the relay monitor to download the symptom recording. We recommend doing a routine download from the relay monitor once a week.
If you have any issues with your phone app or monitor, then please contact the BeConnected team at Medtronic – 00800 2666 3282.
