Mobile telemonitoring for early diagnosis of changes in patient conditions

Remote monitoring of patients with implanted cardiac pacemakers (ICP) and with implanted cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) is a reliable alternative to the ambulatory medical exams. It allows for early detection of changes in patient condition and cardiac stimulation system, saves patient time required for unnecessary ambulatory exams, and decreases physician workload. Reduction of time spent for planned visits to a doctor, on the one hand, and early diagnosis of life-threatening complications, on the other hand, provide significant economic effect and result in better quality of patient life. Aim: The aim of the study was to analyze the advantages of mobile telemonitoring for detection of abnormal work of stimulation system, complications, and undiagnosed disorders in heart rhythm in study patients. Materials and Methods. The study included 42 patients aged 65.71±11.30 years (Me)=67.00 years including 21 men (50%) with different diseases requiring implantation of two-chamber ICP. All patients were divided into 2 groups. Follow up period lasted for one year. Results: Follow up based on remote monitoring at early stage allowed for detection of the changes requiring medical intervention. Most patients from two groups did not have any changes in their condition and did not require regular ambulatory examination. Besides, the study found the intergroup differences between the numbers of hospitalizations and ambulatory visits during the year. Conclusions. Remote monitoring allows for detection of changes in patient condition and in ICP system work earlier than standard follow up examinations suggesting the advantages of remote telemonitoring.