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Baltimore, MD
Part 3 Update: PVCs/PACs and My Medtronic Reveal LINQ Insertable Monitor
I’ve had my Medtronic Reveal LINQ insertable monitor since the middle of September. (See Has my A-Fib Returned?) It has produced a lot of false positives. The other day, I visited my EP’s office and reviewed my LINQ data results with the nurse/Reveal LINQ specialist.
The LINQ data showed I had Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs) and Premature Atrial Contractions (PACs) which made my heart beat irregular but were not A-Fib.
No A-Fib for me: My data showed I always had the P wave component in my EKG signal—which is lost when one has Atrial Fibrillation.
Most PVCs/PACs benign: Most A-Fib doctors aren’t overly concerned about extra beats Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs) or Premature Atrial Contractions (PACs), because they are considered benign.
I’m not worried. Everybody gets PVCs and PACs, not just people with A-Fib.
Take a Look at My Premature Atrial Contractions (PACs)
When you look at my LINQ ECG signal (see excerpt below), notice how the PAC comes before one would expect a normal beat. The irregularities above the R wave indicate the signal is coming from atria above the ventricles and is a PAC.
PAC beats comes before one would expect a normal beat
…and a Look at My Premature Ventricle Contractions (PVCs)
When you look at another section of my ECG signal (see excerpt below), the R wave spikes are thicker and wider than the normal R waves indicating they are coming from the ventricles and are Premature Ventricle Contractions (PVCs).
PVCs: R wave spikes are thicker and wider than the normal
Detection Settings for A-Fib Only
To avoid false positives such as PACs and PVCs, the nurse adjusted the settings and sensitivity of the Reveal LINQ monitor to detect A-Fib only. (For Medtronic settings, see below.)
I will return to Dr. Doshi’s office in a month to see if these new setting are working properly. Look for my next update on data from my Medtronic Reveal LINQ insertable monitor.
Learn to Read Your ECG/EKG
An electrocardiogram, ECG (EKG), is used to measure the rate and regularity of heartbeats, as well as the size and position of the chambers, the presence of any damage to the heart, and the effects of drugs or devices used to regulate the heart.
The ECG signal strip is a graphic tracing of the electrical activity of your heart.
To learn to read your own ECG/EKG signal, see Understanding the EKG Signal.
My Medtronic Reveal LINQ is inserted just under my skin near my heart: For you tech types, here are the new settings:
• AT/AF Detection—On
• Type—AF only
• AF Detection—Balanced Sensitivity
• Ectopy Rejection—Aggressive (this is probably the most important change in the settings)
• AT/AF Recording Threshold—Episodes >= 60 min
