Patient perspective and safety of remote monitoring of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in the Polish Nationwide Multicenter Registry: the Medtronic CareLink network evaluation

Abstract

Background Remote monitoring of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices allows the assessment of system effectiveness, arrhythmia occurrence, and indirectly, clinical changes. Medical interventions can be performed earlier because of a faster transfer of information to the monitoring site, even in the case of asymptomatic arrhythmias or abnormalities in the operation of the system. aims The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of remote monitoring of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and evaluation in an outpatient setting during 12-month follow -up. methods We analyzed 176 patients at 10 sites (men, 84.1%). The mean (SD) age of the patients was 60.7 (12.5) years (range, 20-86 years), and mean (SD) follow -up period was 405 (70) days (range, 131-723 days). results A total of 354 outpatient and 514 remote follow -up visits were conducted. Episodes of arrhythmias and device malfunctions were detected with similar frequency in outpatient visits and in remote visits. During the study period, patient sense of safety increased. More patients preferred joined remote and outpatient visits as the optimal healthcare model. As the patient survey showed, the greatest benefit of the CareLink network was fast intervention and an increased sense of safety. conclusions The strategy of remote monitoring appeared to be feasible, safe, and patient friendly, demonstrating that the majority of patients do not require an additional in -person visit within 1 year from the device implantation just to confirm the proper functioning of the implantable cardioverter--defibrillators.

Silent atrial fibrillation episodes and cognitive impairment in patients with cardiac implantable devices. Protocol of the SAFE-COG ongoing observational single-center non-experimental case-control clinical study

“…The current technological progress in implantable devices makes it possible to record a high-quality EGM in the atrial channel and distinguish true AHRE artifacts. AHRE episodes are a common finding on cardiac device interrogation [6]. In the ASSERT study, during 2.5 years of follow-up of patients without previous AF history, at least one episode of AHRE lasting more than six minutes was found in about 30% of hypertensive individuals [7].…”

Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators in Poland Compared with other European Countries from the Patient’s Perspective: Insights from the EHRA Patient Survey

“…Remote device management is recommended in the ESC guidelines, as well as by the Heart Rhythm Society expert consensus, the Polish Cardiac Society, and recent British Heart Rhythm Society guidelines for the follow-up of cardiac implantable electronic devices [ 1 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. Furthermore, a remote monitoring system contributes to increasing patients’ feelings of safety [ 9 , 16 ]. Despite that, physicians still struggle to increase the utilization of remote monitoring; the lack of reimbursement represents the most significant barrier to broader implementation, even during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”

The first pilot study on remote monitoring of implantable cardiac electronic devices in South Korea: rationale and study protocol of a REMOTE-CARE

“…Previous studies have shown that remote device monitoring is safe; it decreases unnecessary outpatient visits and increases patient satisfaction [1][2][3][4][5][6]. There has been a substantial increase in remote monitoring (RM) after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in many countries [7][8][9][10].…”