Remote Monitoring of Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators, Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy and Permanent Pacemakers: A Health Technology Assessment

People suffering from certain types of heart failure, or an abnormal heart rate or rhythm, may have one ofseveral electronic devices implanted (e.g., a defibrillator or a pacemaker). However, patients require routine follow up in-clinic for clinical assessment and to verify that the device is functioning properly, which can be a burden for those who have difficulty traveling or live far from a clinic.

Remote monitoring—in which device data are recorded and transmitted to health care personnel by phone or over the internet—may offer benefits to the patient and the health care system. Currently, physician services for remote monitoring and the remote monitoring system are not publicly funded. This health technology assessment looked at how effective and cost-effective remote monitoring is for people implanted with cardiac electronic devices and how that impacts their experience of living with the device.