The insertable loop recorder can determine if fainting is related to a heart rhythm problem. Smaller than a pack of gum, the insertable loop recorder is inserted just beneath the skin in the upper chest area in a brief outpatient procedure that typically takes 15 to 20 minutes.

The insertable loop recorder continuously monitors the rate and rhythm of the heart. It works much like a black box in an airplane, whereby vital information is recorded during the actual fainting episode and can be played back later for detailed analysis. The insertable loop recorder can continuously record the heart's rate and rhythm for up to 14 months.