About Your Cardiac Loop Recorder
This handout will give you information about your loop recorder and help you learn how to take care of it.
You had a loop recorder placed on: ________ by Dr. _______________.
The company that made your loop recorder is ___________________.
You have a follow-up visit to check wound healing and to interrogate your loop recorder
Date__________________ Time________________
Location ___________________________________
UW Health Heart and Vascular Care Device Clinic – (608) 263-1530
What is a loop recorder?
A loop recorder is a small device that was placed in your body. It is just under the skin on your chest. This monitors your heart’s electrical activity.
Why do you need a loop recorder?
Loop recorders are put in to help find the cause of your symptoms. These may be a racing or pounding heartbeat, lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting. Your doctor can look at the information stored by the device to help find the best treatment for you.
How to use your loop recorder:
Before you are discharged someone will show you how to record heart rhythm information when symptoms happen. You may also look in your device manual.
Your loop recorder will save ________ symptoms episodes. If you use up all your symptom episodes please call us to plan a remote transmission. We can then look at what your heart’s electrical activity was doing at those times.
Your loop recorder will be checked about every three months; how often will be decided by your doctor. In some cases, these may be done with remote checks from home. We will talk more about this during your next appointment.
Incision care:
1. If DermaBond "Clear Glue" was put on your incision:
•You may shower the day after your procedure.
If a dressing was put on over your incision:
•Leave the bandage on for 72 hours following the procedure. Keep it clean
and dry. Then you can take it off.
•You may shower after you take the big bandage off. When you do
shower, let the soap and water run down the incision, don’t scrub or rub
the site.
•The Steri-strips (the thin pieces of tape over the incision) are used to hold
the skin together as it heals. These should be left in place until they fall
off on their own or the nurse will remove them at your first appointment.
2. As the site heals, you may feel some itching; this is normal. Do not scratch
or rub the site.
3. Do not use any lotions or ointments over the incision.
4. Look at the site daily for any signs of infection:
•Redness
•Swelling
•Drainage
•Warmth over the site
•Increased tenderness
•Fever (101°F or greater)
When to call the doctor or the Device Clinic:
• If you have any signs of infection.
• If you use up all your “symptom” episodes or you faint.
• If you are going to have any tests or surgeries done, we may want you to
first do a remote transmission.
Pain:
If you have pain at the site, you may take any mild pain reliever that has worked for you in the past (Tylenol® or ibuprofen (Motrin®).
Your Loop Recorder ID card:
You have been given a temporary ID card. Carry this with you at all times. The device company will mail your permanent card to you in about 2 months. Be sure to tell all people that you see for your health care that you have a loop recorder. If they have any questions, have them call our clinic,
(608) 263-1530.
Electrical Hazards
Most electrical equipment is safe for you to be around. Some may give your device a wrong recording. Please read the booklet printed by the manufacturer.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 03/11/2013
Copyright © 03/11/2013 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#7475
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