Remote monitoring of cardiac implantable electronic devices

Seminario desarrollado en la Segunda Conferencia Internacional de Comunicación en Salud, celebrada el 23 de octubre de 2015 en la Universidad Carlos III de MadridCardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) are used with increasing frequency for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. In Europe, a total number of 550,000 pacemakers and 180,000 defibrillators were implanted in 2014. Follow-up of these patients is a large challenge to the health system and requires a substantial amount of resources, both with regard to time, travel expenses and access to qualified personel. Remote monitoring through transmission of information from the CIED to a server accessible from the hospital is possible. Such remote monitoring may improve follow-up in a number of ways: Convenience for the patient: The patient can get a reassuring letter or phone call from the hospital and does not have to travel to the out-patient clinic. Cost-saving for the hospital, the society, the patient and for family members: Travel expenses as well as the time for patients, caregivers and hospital staff is reduced. Aid clinical decision making / tailor drug therapy: Remote monitoring can help the physician decide when to start, stop and change doses of antiarrhythmic drugs and anticoagulation. Safety when it comes to battery status, lead integrity etc: The system can alarm hospital personell about technical issues which require reprogramming og replacement. The presentation will give examples of heart conditions requiring a CIED, such as sick sinus node, atrioventricular block and ventricular tachycardia, and give a brief description of the implantation process. Furthermore, the way remote monitoring can be useful for the above mentioned reasons will be illustrated