what does MyCareLink do?

I have a Medtronic CRT PM and apparently every night at 1:oo am the system get data from my Pm and send it I think to the local PM Center. Does anyone know exactly what type of info is sent and what red flags are there for some action level?

3 Comments

Carelink

by islandgirl - 2016-02-08 03:02:12

I'm not impressed with the Carelink transmissions at all. I don't know if mine downloads anything automatically, but I was uploading my pm weekly until about a month ago when I find it's worthless--for my problems. My EP's copies are not helpful and have not been definitive enough for him to diagnose the specific arrhythmias. I go into the office and they download my pm and I'm always (and they seem to be) surprised/blindsided about the arrhythmias and severity. I had an 'emergency' ablation in December, not feeling well and going in to see him and finding my ventricle was beating at 240 much of the time and my atrium being paced at 60. (I have SSS) I see my EP Tuesday and will speak to him more about the poor quality and alternatives. I downloaded some severe, lengthy arrhythmic episodes about a week ago and the EP called me that evening and reminded me he can't see the specific arrhythmias I'm having and to make an appt.

Islandgirl

by BillH - 2016-02-08 05:02:29

Ask your doctor if you getting an AliveCor will help you to monitor your arrhythmia.

fox 30 reply to own question

by fox30 - 2016-02-11 10:02:40

I learned from my PM center that basically the three months transmissions which are scheduled with the clinic gives most of the information that I was receiving when I got a copy of my previous three interrogations done in the clinic.This includes battery status,lead impedence,AT/AF monitoring report,and since I have a Medtronic Consulta CRT-P a thoracic impedance which is said to be a measure of lung fluid retention. The nightly (1:AM) check is not automatically transmitted unless some red flag is noted and then it is sent to the PM center.With the three month checkup apparently I only have to see my EP doc once a year.
On one occasion only a few weeks after my implantation my pulse jumped to 150 and I sent in a data dump and within a few minutes the PM clinic tech called and told me it looked like atrial flutter and I took off to the clinic.

Does anyone have anything to add to what goes on with the periodic transmission and the nightly checkup?

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