CIS Is First in State to Use New Insertable Cardiac Monitor

June 20, 2023 – BATON ROUGE – Dr. Robert Drennan, electrophysiologist at Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS), is the first in the state to implant the Assert-IQ™ Insertable Cardiac Monitor, with advanced algorithms, remote programmability, and the world’s longest battery life. The first procedure was performed on June 12 at Baton Rouge General Medical Center. 

The Assert-IQ™ ICM is an advanced state-of-the-art, slim Bluetooth^®-enabled insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) that is placed under the skin near the heart where it helps doctors monitor people’s heart rhythms long-term. Assert-IQ offers the world’s longest battery life of at least 3 or 6 years to provide doctors a new level of flexibility in diagnostic monitoring. The device is designed to remain connected to a transmitter—usually the person’s own cell phone—where it checks heart rhythms every 20 seconds, transmitting results automatically to the clinic’s portal. The Assert-IQ ICM also offers advanced diagnostic capabilities to provide physicians with more clinically relevant information about the cardiovascular health of the patient, allowing care providers to make clinical decisions faster. Overall, this innovative device by Abbott delivers clinically actionable data, clearer electrograms, and intelligent diagnostics all in a longer-lasting device.

Irregular heartbeats, or arrhythmias, may be fleeting, making diagnosis challenging in many patients. Insertable cardiac monitors are designed to provide constant, real-time monitoring of a person’s heart to detect and identify arrhythmias that can lead to symptoms such as frequent fainting, irregular pulse and shortness of breath.

“We are always looking for new ways to improve our ability to monitor our patients,” said Dr. Drennan. “The new Abbott Assert-IQ device provides added diagnostics and improved battery life, allowing us to gather more information for a longer period of time."

Additionally, some models of the Assert-IQ ICM family can be remotely programmed allowing the clinician to adjust the settings of the connected device, optimize performance and limit unnecessary alerts or transmissions – all without requiring the patient to visit the clinic.

Learn more or schedule an appointment with a CIS cardiologist at cardio.com. 

About Cardiovascular Institute of the South
Founded by Dr. Craig Walker in 1983, Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) is a world-leader in preventing, detecting and treating cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disease. CIS offers a comprehensive heart and vascular program with expert physicians trained in many specialties, including internal medicine, nuclear cardiology, electrophysiology, lipid management, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, valve disease, venous disease and interventional procedures. CIS has earned international acclaim as a pioneer of research, development and education, as well as an innovator in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease. With a dedicated team of more than 1,150 team members, CIS provides comprehensive cardiovascular care at 21 locations across Louisiana and Mississippi, with 11 telemedicine programs. CIS has also been recognized by Modern Healthcare as a Best Place to Work in Healthcare for four years in a row. CIS remains at the forefront of technology, providing the highest-quality, compassionate care. This mission has guided the institute for 40 years of excellence. CIS is an affiliate of Cardiovascular Logistics. For more information about CIS, call 1-800-425-2565 or visit www.cardio.com.