Remote monitoring of a Medtronic ICD

For the past 7 years, I have had an interrogation of my ICD every 3 months at our local hospital and I was perfectly happy with this arrangement. Now I am being kind of pressured to get the home monitoring device (Medtronic).  Any opinions, suggestions from users of this system?

2 Comments

Carelink for Medtronic ICD

by islandgirl - 2019-08-29 23:35:12

I've had my Medtronic ICD for 3 years. Mine uses a cell signal to transmit, whatever one is available, no matter where I am, including travelling to remote areas such as the Sahara Desert! and on the Mekong River.  There's no extra cost...I guess we've already paid for it!  I transmit weekly, and occasionally I'll receive a text that there was a transmission, and it's my EP transmitting. I have to take it whenever I spend the night somewhere.  I think it also automatically uploads sometime in the night, too.  I don't know if mine uses wifi, but I haven't needed it.  I had to let them know I didn't have a landline, so they provided me with the appropriate device available at the time.  

home monitors

by Tracey_E - 2019-08-30 11:52:21

After 20+ years of not having a monitor, of having an excellent relationship with my reps, I fussed, complained, and generally dragged my feet about the home monitor. Turns out I love it. I wrap it in a towel and store it under the bed so I don't have it in my face when I wake up in the morning. I go once a year now, not quarterly. Once a quarter, I get an email telling me the download was normal. A couple of times something odd happened, I initiated a download, emailed my NP so she knew to look for it. In the past, they'd have to give me an appointment and bring in the rep. Once I went to the ER, I did a download before I left and told them when I got there. In the past, they would have had to bring in the rep. It's really convenient. The newer Medtronic even has a phone app to go with it. Pretty cool, imo. 

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