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Joseph G. Akar, MD, on remote monitoring of ICDs
SAN FRANCISCO — In this video, Joseph G. Akar, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine at Yale University School of Medicine, discusses a study presented at the Heart Rhythm Society Annual Scientific Sessions assessing the impact of remote defibrillator monitoring on patient outcomes.
Akar notes that remote ICD monitoring has improved clinical work flow and patient satisfaction, but the approach is utilized in fewer than 50% of eligible cases.
The trial included a cohort of 37,742 patients with defibrillators equipped with remote monitoring technology, and compared the incidence of all-cause mortality and hospitalization between patients who did and did not utilize the monitoring technology. Researchers observed a significant reduction in the risk for both outcomes among those using remote monitoring.
Akar concluded that the strong association observed between clinical outcomes and remote patient monitoring should provide an incentive for increased use of the technology.