Is it safe to have a mammogram with a loop recorder (implantable loop recorder) in place?

From the Guidelines

It is generally safe to have a mammogram with a loop recorder (implantable loop recorder) in place, but it is essential to inform the radiologist about the implanted device before the procedure. The mammogram can proceed as usual, but the technician may need to take additional views or use special techniques to ensure clear imaging around the loop recorder 1. This is to avoid any interference with the mammogram results and to protect the device. The loop recorder is usually implanted subcutaneously in the chest area, which may overlap with breast tissue in some cases. While the device is designed to withstand external interference, it's crucial to minimize any potential impact on both the device's function and the mammogram's accuracy.

Some key considerations for breast cancer screening include:

• The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends biennial screening mammography for women aged 50 to 74 years, with a moderate certainty of a moderate net benefit 1.
• For women aged 40 to 49 years, the decision to start regular, biennial screening mammography should be an individual one, taking into account the patient's values regarding specific benefits and harms, with a small net benefit 1.
• The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the additional benefits and harms of screening mammography in women 75 years or older 1.

After the mammogram, it's advisable to have your cardiologist check the loop recorder to ensure it's functioning correctly. Remember, the benefits of regular breast cancer screening generally outweigh the minimal risks associated with having a mammogram with an implanted cardiac device. The USPSTF recommendations are based on a systematic review of the evidence of the benefits and harms and an assessment of the net benefit of the service 1.

From the Research

Safety of Mammograms with Implantable Loop Recorders

• The safety of having a mammogram with an implantable loop recorder (ILR) in place is a concern for patients and healthcare providers.
• According to 2, ILRs are radioopaque and can be seen on plain chest radiographs and other imaging modalities, including mammography.
• The study 2 discusses the typical appearance of ILRs on major diagnostic imaging modalities, including mammography, and optimization strategies to mitigate image artifacts and safety issues.
• Another study 3 describes the mammographic appearance of the BioMonitor ILR, highlighting the importance of radiologists being familiar with the appearance of different implantable cardiac devices on mammograms.
• Additionally, 4 reports on the mammographic appearance of ILRs, emphasizing the need for breast imagers to be aware of their appearance to create accurate reports.
• However, none of the studies directly address the safety of having a mammogram with an ILR in place, but they do provide information on the imaging characteristics of ILRs, which can be useful for radiologists and healthcare providers.
• It is worth noting that the studies 5 and 6 discuss the safety of ILR implantation, but not specifically in the context of mammography.
• Overall, while there is limited direct evidence on the safety of mammograms with ILRs, the available studies provide information on the imaging characteristics of ILRs, which can be useful for healthcare providers.