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 The new Reveal LINQ Insertable Cardiac Monitor was
developed by Medtronic and received FDA approval for use in the
United States in February. One-third the size of a AAA battery, it
is the smallest heart monitor on the market and can automatically
detect and record abnormal heart rhythms.
“The Reveal LINQ is placed just underneath the skin in the upper
left side of the patient’s chest; it just takes minutes to do,” says
Allan L. Katz, D.O., a cardiac electrophysiologist with Humility of
Mary Health Partners Physician Associates. “The Reveal LINQ
Insertable Cardiac Monitor is ideally suited for patients who
experience symptoms of dizziness, recurrent fainting episodes, and
palpitations that may suggest an underlying cardiac arrhythmia. It
is also well suited for patients with infrequent symptoms, where
their episodes occur only a few times a year”, Dr. Katz says. “In
these types of patients, the traditional 24-hour Holter monitor and
30-day event monitors do not aid in the diagnosis.”
 The Reveal LINQ Insertable Cardiac Monitor can also be used to
monitor a patient’s response to anti-arrhythmic heart medications
and is safe for use during MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
procedures.
For patients with a history of stroke of unclear origin, the Reveal
LINQ has been shown to help diagnose previously undetected atrial
fibrillation, Dr. Katz continues.
Once the Reveal LINQ is inserted under the patient’s skin, the
physician is able to access the information from the device through
a programmer at the office or from the patient’s home. The Reveal
LINQ system includes the new MyCareLink(TM) Patient Monitor. This
monitor can transmit patients’ cardiac device data to their
physicians from virtually any location in the world. If the patient
experiences a fainting spell or irregular heart rhythm, information
can be transmitted immediately, or the patient can visit the
physician’s office where the doctor can review the patient’s heart
rhythm before, during and immediately after the incident.
Once the Reveal LINQ is no longer needed, it can be removed during a
very minimal surgical procedure.
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The insertable cardiac monitor does not restrict patients’
activities. They can bathe, exercise and maintain their usual daily
routines. That is another benefit to patients, Dr. Katz says. “The
Reveal LINQ can help patients find answers that may be heart-related
without affecting their lifestyles.
“Having the prolonged monitoring capability that the Reveal LINQ
provides is a tremendous benefit for patients with infrequent
symptoms,” Dr. Katz adds, “and over time, it is cost-effective for
patients who otherwise would undergo multiple tests and external
cardiac monitors without sometimes even making a diagnosis.”
Thus far, HMHP physicians have implanted the Reveal LINQ Cardiac
Monitor in more than 20 patients.
[HUMANITY OF MARY HEALTH PARTNERS]
About Humility of Mary Health
Partners
Humility of Mary Health Partners is an integrated health system
located in the Youngstown/Warren area. It is a region of Catholic
Health Partners (CHP) in Cincinnati, the largest health system in
Ohio and one of the largest Catholic health systems in the United
States. HMHP provides a full spectrum of health care services,
including inpatient, outpatient, emergency, urgent care, home care
and long-term care. Members are St. Elizabeth Health Center, St.
Joseph Health Center, St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center, HM Home
Health Services, The Assumption Village, Humility House, Hospice of
the Valley and Laurel Lake. Learn more about HMHP online at
www.HMpartners.org
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