Migration of an Implantable Loop Recorder: A Meta-summary of Case Reports

The migration of an implantable loop recorder (ILR) is a rare complication. We aimed to perform a meta-summary of case reports to characterize patients who experienced an ILR migration. We searched for case reports published in PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Embase from January 2017 to 2023 using the following keywords: "migration ILR," "migration loop recorder," "complication loop recorder," and "complication ILR." Seven case reports/case series reporting ILR migration were included. Data about patients' characteristics, ILR implantation, time of onset, management, and clinical outcome of this complication were collected. Seven patients who experienced the migration of an ILR were examined. All patients experienced migration within 35 days following ILR implantation. The clinical suspicion of ILR migration mainly arose from patients' symptomatology. The migration of the ILR was confirmed by a radiological scan in all cases, and surgical removal, preferably by video-assisted thoracic surgery, was required. In conclusion, intrapleural migration is a rare complication of ILR implantation. It may occur in the early postprocedural period. Clinical suspicion arises from symptoms, but a radiological scan is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Surgical removal is mandatory.