Transmission of data stored in implanted cardioverter-defibrillators could guarantee continuous patient surveillance and help avoid unnecessary follow-up visits.
Home monitoring of ICDs through data transmission offers the potential for continuous patient surveillance and may reduce unnecessary in-person follow-up visits.
The expanding indications for ICD therapy and the complexity of current devices will have impact on follow-up policy. The application of ICD therapy requires elaborate attention to technical aspects, arrhythmias, and the clinical course of the underlying disease. Currently, the quality of medical supervision is dependent on scheduled regular follow-up visits. A disadvantage of long intervals can be a delay in the physician's or patient's awareness of changes in the clinical status. Some patients will need more intensive follow-up while others will have the device as a stand-by and only need technical follow-up. A possibility to address this situation, is the transmission of data, already stored in the implanted device. This will guarantee continuous patient surveillance and could possibly help to avoid unnecessary follow-up visits.
Damj Theuns (Sat,) conducted a review in Patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). Home monitoring via data transmission vs. Scheduled regular follow-up visits was evaluated. Transmission of data stored in implanted cardioverter-defibrillators could guarantee continuous patient surveillance and help avoid unnecessary follow-up visits.