Real-world battery longevity of Implantable Loop Recorders implanted for
Unexplained Syncope: results from a large single center registry
Abstract
Background/Purpose Implantable loop recorders (ILR) are
increasingly used in cardiac rhythm monitoring and diagnostic work-up of
unexplained syncope. ILR battery longevity according to manufacturers’
product performance specifications typically ranges between two to four
years, but real-world data in this population are lacking.
Methods This monocentric, prospective, observational study
included consecutive patients with unexplained syncope undergoing ILR
implantation between 10/2007 and 10/2019 The main purpose was to
determine real-world battery longevity of ILR. Diagnostic yield and
relationship between arrhythmogenic diagnosis and duration of
ILR-monitoring was explored. Results The study included 309
patients (59 years [38-73], 49% female) with ILR implantation for
unexplained syncope. Median battery longevity was 42 [40-45] months.
99.5% of ILR reached prespecified battery longevity. The time to
end-of-life varied by up to 33 months among the same ILR models. Overall
arrhythmogenic diagnostic yield counted 27% (73% sick sinus syndrome,
20% atrioventricular block and 7% ventricular tachycardia). Median
time to diagnosis was 10 [2-25] months, with the latest event at 43
months. The cumulative diagnostic yield for arrhythmogenic event was
15.7%, 22.9%, 34.9% , 54.2%, 72.3% and 100% at 1, 2, 6, 12, 24 and
48 months respectively. In univariate analysis, 1 st
degree AV-block and prolonged HV time on EP study were predictors of
diagnosis, while QRS duration abnormality borderline missed
significance. Conclusions Real-world battery longevity of ILRs
matched industry projected longevity in 99.5% of patients implanted
with ILR for unexplained syncope. A battery longevity of minimum 3.5
years is recommended to maximize the diagnostic yield in this
population.