Implantable Cardiac Devices in the Treatment of Arrhythmias and Congestive Heart Failure

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-52
Author(s):  
Soraya M Samii ◽  
Javier E Banchs

The concept of using an implantable device to manage arrhythmias and heart failure started over 50 years ago. Since then, we have seen these devices improve patient outcomes from bradyarrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias, and heart failure. These devices are now standard of care in the management of patients and include pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) or combination devices. The future may hold expansion of the indications for these devices, with careful examination of the outcomes of today's patients. In addition, there is very exciting new technology that may further advance the management of arrhythmias and heart failure.

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-104
Author(s):  
Soraya M Samii ◽  
Javier E Banchs

The concept of using an implantable device to manage arrhythmias and heart failure started over 50 years ago. Since then, we have seen these devices improve patient outcomes from bradyarrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias, and heart failure. These devices are now standard of care in the management of patients and include pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) or combination devices. The future may hold expansion of the indications for these devices, with careful examination of the outcomes of today's patients. In addition, there is very exciting new technology that may further advance the management of arrhythmias and heart failure.


ESC CardioMed ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 3133-3135
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Boriani ◽  
Lucia D’Angiolella ◽  
Fabiana Madotto

Diagnostic and prognostic improvements in electrophysiology have been spectacular and mainly been attributable to the development of implantable cardiac devices, such as implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers (CRT-Ps), and resynchronization therapy pacemakers with defibrillation therapy (CRT-D). These therapies are expensive because of both up-front initial implant costs and for subsequent check-up, device replacement, and possible complications. As this is a typical case in which a therapy is both costly and effective, assessment of cost-effectiveness of these device therapies becomes of paramount importance. According to recent studies, these treatments are broadly cost-effective when applied adequately and correctly analysed over a long-term period. The up-front initial cost of the devices and their implant are sometimes short-term barriers to the implementation of cost-effective therapeutic strategies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (10) ◽  
pp. 1243-1247
Author(s):  
Georgia Spentzou ◽  
Kaitlin Mayne ◽  
Helen Fulton ◽  
Karen McLeod

AbstractThere is growing interest in the use of digital medicine to reduce the need for traditional outpatient follow-up. Remote interrogation of pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators is now possible with most devices. The aim of our study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of virtual pacing clinics in following up children with pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators, including epicardial systems.Methods:The study was retrospective over 8 years (2010–2017), with review of patient records and analysis of downloads from the implantable cardiac devices to the virtual clinics.Results:A total of 75 patients were set up for virtual clinic follow-up during the study period, 94.5% with a pacemaker and 5.5% an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. The majority (76.8%) had an epicardial system. Data on lead impedance, battery longevity, programmed parameters, detected arrhythmias, percentage pacing and delivered defibrillator therapies were obtainable by download. Lead threshold measurements were obtainable via download in 83.7% of the devices, including epicardial systems. No concerning device issue was missed. In 15% of patients a major issue was detected remotely, including three patients with lead fractures. The virtual clinics resulted in fewer hospital attendances while enhancing monitoring and enabling more frequent device checks. The vast majority (91.4%) of families who responded to a questionnaire were satisfied with the virtual clinic follow-up.Conclusions:Virtual clinics allow safe and effective follow-up of children with pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators, including those with epicardial systems and are associated with high levels of parent satisfaction.


Author(s):  
Ilaria Spoletini ◽  
Andrew Coats

It has been long acknowledged that electrical-conduction disturbances may be both a cause of heart failure and a consequence of it. In fact, many patients with heart failure have an asynchronous contraction pattern of the heart muscle that further reduces the heart ability to pump blood. Electrical disturbances may therefore result in progressive left ventricular dysfunction, due to the added effects of HF-related electrical dyssynchrony. For this reason, device therapy may play a key role in the management of patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). In particular, Implantable Cardioverter- Defibrillators (ICD) and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) may improve ejection fraction by reestablishing mechanical synchrony, possibly reversing symptoms and signs of heart failure, in addition to the more obvious role of ICD in terminating ventricular arrhythmias that threaten sudden death. Recommendations on device therapy from the current guidelines on heart failure management put out by the ESC/HFA in 2016 update our understanding of the evidence base for the use of ICD and CRT in HFrEF. We review these recommendations and the evidence behind them.


Author(s):  
Kim Rajappan

The term ‘device therapy’ is used in cardiology to refer to three different types of implantable cardiac-rhythm-management devices: pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (also known as ICDs), and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices (also known as CRT devices). There has been a steady increase in the number of patients receiving these cardiac devices; in relation to CRT devices, the increase has been almost exponential.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 117863291668607
Author(s):  
Eduard Sklyar ◽  
Jonathan N Bella

In this article, the reader will get some insights into managing patient with implantable cardiac devices while undergoing noncardiac surgery. We will review basic concepts regarding normal function of pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators, understanding how their function will be influenced during noncardiac surgeries. You will be guided through management steps from preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative aspects. In an ever-changing world of medicine, it is important to keep up with progress as more and more patients get implantable cardiac devices.


1970 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Palazollo MD ◽  
Sheldon M. Singh MD

The use of implantable cardiac devices has increased and will continue to increase as the population ages. For more than 50 years, patients with a slow pulse have enjoyed the benefits of cardiac pacing to alleviate symptoms and, in some cases, prolong life. Implantable cardiac devices have evolved; in addition to providing pacing support, some devices – namely, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) – can also terminate malignant ventricular arrhythmias, facilitate the synchronization of ventricular function, monitor clinical variables, and store a wealth of information to assist clinical management. This review discusses currently available device diagnostics, highlights some advances in implantable cardiac device therapy, and provides a preview of future technologies that may improve the care of patients who have these devices.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document