Patient education: Insertable cardiac monitor placement – Discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.

What is insertable cardiac monitor placement? — This is a procedure to put a device called an "insertable cardiac monitor," or "ICM," in the body (figure 1). An ICM measures and records the heart's electrical activity. It might also be called an "implantable cardiac monitor" or "implantable loop recorder."

How do I care for myself at home? — Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also:

●Set up your "transmission monitor" as soon as you can – The transmission monitor collects data from the ICM device and sends it to your doctor. Most of the time, the transmission monitor should be close to your bed. Then, it can collect and send the data at night while you sleep. Ask your doctor or nurse if you have any questions about setting up your transmission monitor, or if you're not sure if it's working.

●Take all of your medicines as instructed.

●Take care of your incision – You might have stitches, skin staples, skin tape, or surgical glue on your incision.

•Keep your incision dry and covered with a bandage for the first 1 to 2 days after your procedure. Your doctor or nurse will tell you exactly how long to keep your incision dry.

•Once you no longer need to keep your incision dry, gently wash it with soap and water whenever you take a shower. Do not put your incision underwater, such as in a bath, pool, or lake. This can slow healing and raise your chance of getting an infection.

•After you wash your incision, pat it dry. Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to put an antibiotic ointment on the incision. They will also tell you if you need to cover your incision with a bandage or gauze.

•Always wash your hands before and after you touch your incision or bandage.

●Write down if you have certain symptoms, like fainting, if your doctor or nurse asked you to. Note the date, time, and exactly what happened. Then, share this information with your doctor.

What follow-up care do I need? — The doctor will want to see you again after your procedure to check on your progress. Go to these appointments.

If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will usually want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks. Some stitches absorb on their own and do not need to be removed. If the doctor used skin glue or tape, it will fall off on its own. Do not pick at it or try to remove it yourself.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if you think that you might be having a heart attack.

Signs of a heart attack can include (figure 2):

●Severe chest pain, pressure, or discomfort with:

•Breathing trouble, sweating, upset stomach, or cold and clammy skin

•Pain in your arms, back, or jaw

•Worse pain with activity like walking up stairs

●Fast or irregular heartbeat

●Feeling dizzy, faint, or weak

Call your doctor or nurse for advice if:

●You have signs of an infection – These include a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills.

●You have redness, swelling, or drainage around your incision.

●You have problems setting up or using your transmission monitor.

More on this topic

Patient education: Insertable cardiac monitor placement (The Basics)
Patient education: Ambulatory heart monitoring (The Basics)