Heart rhythm monitoring with Reveal

Reveal is a small monitor that is implanted under the skin on your chest. It is used to record your heart rhythm over a long period (up to three years).

Reveal automatically records your heart rhythm if it becomes too fast or too slow but can also record on command. This means that if you experience symptoms, you can use a patient activator to tell your Reveal to record your heart rhythm.

The patient activator is a small handheld computer that you place on your chest over the implanted Reveal when you experience symptoms.

When you experience symptoms of a heart rhythm disturbance, place the patient activator over your Reveal device on your chest. Press the 'REC' button and the computer will ensure that the Reveal device records your heart rhythm before and after the patient activator was placed and activated.

If you experience very rare episodes of arrhythmia, you may be suitable for a Reveal device to monitor your symptoms, helping us to find the right treatment for you.

Before the treatment, you will receive a letter via e-Boks informing you about fasting and medication in connection with your treatment.

You are welcome to bring a relative with you, but this is not necessary as you will be free to drive or use public transport immediately after discharge.

Before the operation, the cardiologist will speak to you and talk you through the details. There will be plenty of time for this discussion, and your relatives are, of course, welcome to join you.
The procedure will take place in an operating theatre and is expected to last 15–30 minutes.

A local anesthetic will be administered to prevent pain during the procedure. Once the skin has been cleaned with an iodine solution, a sterile drape will be placed over the surgical area to keep it clean. A 1.5 cm incision will be made in the center of the chest, slightly to the left of the breastbone. A small pocket will be created under the skin into which the Reveal will be inserted. The incision is then sutured and a plaster is applied.

Sometimes, a smaller type of Reveal is chosen instead. This is inserted under the skin using a special instrument. The skin is then closed with a couple of plasters.
Before you are discharged, the cardiologist will make sure that you are fully informed about programming the Reveal and using the patient activator.

You will be discharged shortly after the procedure, and your discharge papers will be sent to you.
We will also send your discharge papers and a description of the procedure to your GP and to the hospital that referred you.

You are welcome to drive or use public transport as soon as you are discharged.

Back home

If you experience pain from the wound, you can take up to four 1 g Paracetamol tablets a day. The water-repellent plaster must remain in place for the first four to five days and be kept dry. After this time, a plaster is no longer necessary. You may have a shower after 24 hours.
The wound has been sutured with a dissolvable thread, which will disappear on its own after approximately 14 days. You should watch out for any redness, swelling or tenderness around the wound, or a fever. Please contact us if this occurs.

Follow-up

Details regarding your follow-up appointment will be arranged before you go home.