Strategies to Promote Long-Term Cardiac Implant Site Health: Current Update

Abstract

Active implantable medical devices (AIMDs) are used for diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitation purposes. Implants and devices improve the quality of life and well-being of the recipient. These include cardiac pacemakers (for controlling heart rhythm), ventricular assist devices (heart support), spinal cord stimulators (chronic pain management), deep brain stimulators (control symptoms of conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, epilepsy, and depression), cochlear implants (enable hearing) and, more recently, bionic eyes (restore vision). Implant life and strategies to enhance it is of paramount importance. The use of non-invasive techniques like Raman Spectroscopy to match the implant and recipient characteristics and non-invasive diagnosis of rejection would be the way forward.