Revealer heart implant

[fabsec54]

I have to have one of these fitted to monitor my heart beat over the next two years or so, bit worried cos it's done under a local anaesthetic. Anyone had one of these done? Probably not, cos I hadn't heard of it before and I'm a medical secretary!!!

[elginred]

You'd probably be surprised at how commonly these things are used. They are usually put in under local anaesthetic with no problems. If you are very anxious speak to the nurse who admits you.

Got this from from the net


Reveal� device
When it is difficult to assess or record a symptom because it only happens infrequently - as with blackouts - a Reveal� device can be used. The device, which is the size of a packet of chewing gum, is placed under the skin at the left shoulder. You will need to go into hospital as a day case to have this done. A small cut about 2 cm long (just under one inch) is made and the device is inserted. The device monitors the heart's rhythm and can record any abnormal events that it is programmed to detect. If anything happens, a small box with a button can also be placed on the surface of the skin over the Reveal� device. The device may then be activated by pressing the button, causing it to record the preceding 15 minutes of the heart's activity. The device can then be 'interrogated' by a computer at the hospital and the doctor can examine the recording. The device has a battery that can last up to two years if necessary.

[gucciman]

my missus is a specialist cardiac nurse, she says you have nothing to worry about at all, this is a routine and very common procedure. a small incision will be made in the skin just under the clavice and a small monitoring device is placed under the skin and stitched back up. stitches will come out after a week. procedure takes only minutes and a cardiac technician will teach you how to use a handheld device which you press if you are feeling any symptoms like dizziness.
simple and low risk minor procedure.

[fabsec54]

Thanks for that gucciman and elginred. I've already cancelled one admission for it because I was too scared, but my GP says she'll give me some Diazepam to take to help ease things a bit for next time. It's the sound of them having to make a "pocket" to get the thing in that worries me. Bit of a chicken really when it comes to things like that. I'll let you know how things go.