Implantable Cardiac Device Helps Doctors Monitor Patients

A new subcutaneous insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) offers important insights into patients' irregular heart rhythms, including atrial fibrillation (AF).

The Reveal XT ICM is intended for patients with suspected arrhythmias, as well as for difficult to diagnose patients for whom long-term cardiac rhythm trending data may aid in a more informed diagnosis. The device is also an option for physicians seeking to detect the presence of atrial arrhythmias, including asymptomatic episodes, or to monitor the amount of time a patient is in AF to assess whether medical treatment is necessary or should be adjusted.

The ICM is placed just under the skin of the chest area in a short outpatient procedure, and captures an electrocardiogram (ECG) during the actual episode; to store an ECG, the patient places a hand-held, pager-sized digital assistant over the device, and presses a button. Later, a physician analyzes the stored information, transmitted via the CareLink Network or during an in-office patient visit, and determines whether the episode was caused by an abnormal heart rhythm. Reveal XT device data has been accessible via the CareLink Network since the fall of 2008, which helps patients stay connected with their healthcare provider from home. The network also offers physicians access to diagnostic data remotely, which may help them make timely, informed decisions. The Reveal XT ICM and the CareLink Network are products of Medtronic (Minneapolis, MN, USA).

"I see many patients desperately seeking answers for their unexplained symptoms,” said Blair Grubb, M.D., a professor of medicine and pediatrics at the University of Toledo Medical Center (OH, USA), who implanted the first device in the United States. "By adding AF detection capabilities and greater diagnostic reporting, I expect the Reveal XT device to be an even more effective tool to help monitor and diagnose my patients' cardiac conditions.”

"The Reveal XT monitor offers physicians a proven option for uncovering dangerous cardiac conditions, including atrial fibrillation. For patients experiencing arrhythmias or unexplained fainting episodes, having greater insights into the cause is incredibly valuable for both the patient and physician,” said Elizabeth Hoff, vice president and general manager of the subcutaneous diagnostics and monitoring unit of the cardiac rhythm disease management business at Medtronic.

Related Links:
Medtronic
University of Toledo Medical Center