Heart Monitoring for a Stroke of Unknown Cause
Heart Monitoring for a Stroke of Unknown Cause
Most strokes occur when a blood clot blocks blood flow to the brain, called ischemic stroke. For about 20 out of every 100 people who have an ischemic stroke, the cause is not known, called cryptogenic strokes. You are one of those people.
Since you had a stroke, you are at risk to have another stroke. Knowing the cause of your stroke can help your doctor and care team to provide the best treatment to help lower your risk for another stroke.
Heart monitoring to check for atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation, also called atrial fib or A fib, causes your heart to beat faster than normal and in an irregular rhythm. This can put you at risk for forming blood clots in your heart. A clot can break loose and travel to your brain to cause a stroke. Atrial fib may happen for a short time and then stop, and it may not cause any symptoms.
Because atrial fib may happen for a time and then stop, it can take time to be sure if you have it or not. Your doctors may need you to have your heart rate and rhythm checked for months or years to know if you have atrial fib. If atrial fib is found, your doctor can order blood thinner medicines, called anticoagulants, to reduce your risk of another stroke.
30 day Heart Monitor
In a few cases, a 30-day heart monitor is worn before the loop recorder is placed. If this is the case, you will be taught about this option.
Loop recorder or ILR
The loop recorder is about the size of a small paper clip that works like an electrocardiogram to monitor your heart rhythm and record abnormal rhythms. The device is implanted during an outpatient visit that takes about 30 minutes. It is placed just under your skin over your heart.
The device can monitor your heart for up to 3 years. Each month or as directed, you will send a full download from your loop recorder to the Device Clinic. When the device is no longer needed or if atrial fib is found, it can be turned off or removed.
Check with your health insurance company
Your insurance company will be able to tell you what costs you may have to pay for the monthly downloads. Be sure they know you may need to wear the loop recorder for up to 3 years.
They may need billing codes, called CPT codes, to pre-certify the implantable loop recorder procedure and the follow-up device checks. These are the CPT codes:
Procedure | CPT Code |
Insertion of ILP | 33285 |
Remote download (hospital fee) | G2066 |
Remote download (professional fee) | 93298 |
In office clerk | 93285 |
If you have other questions about the costs of the procedure or downloads, talk to your health care provider’s fiscal department. For care with Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, call Patient Financial Services staff at 1-800-678-8037.
Questions about the loop recorder
If you have questions about the loop recorder use for your care, talk to your doctor. If you are getting care at Ohio State, you can call the Ohio State Device Clinic at 614-293-8916.
© 2021 – January 14, 2021. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or healthcare team if you have any questions about your care. For more health information call the Library for Health Information at 614-293-3707 or email: health-info@osu.edu.
Last Revised: 1/20/2021
Author: OSUWMC
Medical Review: Patient Education