Julia Lortz1, Varnavas Varnavas1, Wilko WEIßENBERGER2, Raimund Erbel3, Nico Reinsch4. 1. Department of Cardiology, West-German Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany. 2. Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, West-German Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany. 3. Institute of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany. 4. Division of Electrophysiology, Department of Internal Medicine I and Cardiology, Alfried Krupp Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Reveal LINQ™ implantable cardiac monitor (ICM; Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) is obviously smaller than its precursor (the Reveal XT™), but little is known about its long-term safety. Here, we investigated the long-term R-wave sensing reliability of the Reveal LINQ™ ICM. METHODS: We analyzed the sensing quality of the Reveal LINQ™ ICM over time between March 2014 and January 2015. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients underwent Reveal LINQ™ implantation. The main reason for implantation was unexplained syncope (60%). We evaluated a total of 305.8 patient-months (median, 10.7 months) of R-wave sensing quality. A comparison of baseline and follow-up R-wave sensing values revealed no difference (0.401 mV ± 0.244 mV vs 0.447 mV ± 0.323 mV; P = 0.225). CONCLUSIONS: The consistent detection of events is an important safety feature of an ICM and linked to secure R-wave sensing. Despite the noticeable size reduction, the Reveal LINQ™ ICM retains reliable sensing quality over time.
BACKGROUND: The Reveal LINQ™ implantable cardiac monitor (ICM; Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) is obviously smaller than its precursor (the Reveal XT™), but little is known about its long-term safety. Here, we investigated the long-term R-wave sensing reliability of the Reveal LINQ™ ICM. METHODS: We analyzed the sensing quality of the Reveal LINQ™ ICM over time between March 2014 and January 2015. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients underwent Reveal LINQ™ implantation. The main reason for implantation was unexplained syncope (60%). We evaluated a total of 305.8 patient-months (median, 10.7 months) of R-wave sensing quality. A comparison of baseline and follow-up R-wave sensing values revealed no difference (0.401 mV ± 0.244 mV vs 0.447 mV ± 0.323 mV; P = 0.225). CONCLUSIONS: The consistent detection of events is an important safety feature of an ICM and linked to secure R-wave sensing. Despite the noticeable size reduction, the Reveal LINQ™ ICM retains reliable sensing quality over time.