Telemonitoring and Quality of Life in Patients after 12 Months Following a Pacemaker Implant: the Nordland Study, a Randomised Trial

Evaluatıon of Depressıon and Anxıety Status in Patıents After Cardıac Devıce Implantatıon

INTRODUCTION

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and pacemaker (PM) implantation may lead to anxiety and depression, which may reduce patients' quality of life. The aim of our study was to compare depression and anxiety following device implantation.

METHODS

This prospective study was conducted on 202 patients admitted to our hospital with ICD and PM implants between January 2024 and January 2025.

RESULTS

The prevalence of anxiety in PM and ICD recipients was 25.9% and 38.8%, respectively. There was a significant difference in anxiety in ICD patients (< 0.001). In terms of depression, the results in the PM and ICD groups were 18.9 and 38.9, respectively. The results showed a significant difference in the prevalence of depression between PM and ICD recipients. The tendency toward depression was statistically significant in both device recipients (PM; p = 0.008, ICD; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Considering the prevalence of anxiety and depression, it seems necessary to pay closer attention to the anxiety and depression states of patients who have been treated with PM and ICD devices and to provide more widespread education to these patients.

Efficacy of telemedicine for the management of cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Telemedicine has been increasingly integrated into chronic disease management through remote patient monitoring and consultation, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. We did a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting effectiveness of telemedicine interventions for the management of patients with cardiovascular conditions.

METHODS

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library from database inception to Jan 18, 2021. We included randomised controlled trials and observational or cohort studies that evaluated the effects of a telemedicine intervention on cardiovascular outcomes for people either at risk (primary prevention) of cardiovascular disease or with established (secondary prevention) cardiovascular disease, and, for the meta-analysis, we included studies that evaluated the effects of a telemedicine intervention on cardiovascular outcomes and risk factors. We excluded studies if there was no clear telemedicine intervention described or if cardiovascular or risk factor outcomes were not clearly reported in relation to the intervention. Two reviewers independently assessed and extracted data from trials and observational and cohort studies using a standardised template. Our primary outcome was cardiovascular-related mortality. We evaluated study quality using Cochrane risk-of-bias and Newcastle-Ottawa scales. The systematic review and the meta-analysis protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021221010) and the Malaysian National Medical Research Register (NMRR-20-2471-57236).

FINDINGS

72 studies, including 127 869 participants, met eligibility criteria, with 34 studies included in meta-analysis (n=13 269 with 6620 [50%] receiving telemedicine). Combined remote monitoring and consultation for patients with heart failure was associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular-related mortality (risk ratio [RR] 0·83 [95% CI 0·70 to 0·99]; p=0·036) and hospitalisation for a cardiovascular cause (0·71 [0·58 to 0·87]; p=0·0002), mostly in studies with short-term follow-up. There was no effect of telemedicine on all-cause hospitalisation (1·02 [0·94 to 1·10]; p=0·71) or mortality (0·90 [0·77 to 1·06]; p=0·23) in these groups, and no benefits were observed with remote consultation in isolation. Small reductions were observed for systolic blood pressure (mean difference -3·59 [95% CI -5·35 to -1·83] mm Hg; p<0·0001) by remote monitoring and consultation in secondary prevention populations. Small reductions were also observed in body-mass index (mean difference -0·38 [-0·66 to -0·11] kg/m2; p=0·0064) by remote consultation in primary prevention settings.

INTERPRETATION

Telemedicine including both remote disease monitoring and consultation might reduce short-term cardiovascular-related hospitalisation and mortality risk among patients with heart failure. Future research should evaluate the sustained effects of telemedicine interventions.

FUNDING

The British Heart Foundation.

Computational Analysis of a Multi-Layered Skin and Cardiac Pacemaker Model Based on Neural Network Approach

The presented study discusses the possible disturbing effects of the electromagnetic field of antennas used in mobile phones or WiFi technologies on the pacemaker in the patient's body. This study aims to obtain information on how the thickness of skin layers (such as the thickness of the hypodermis) can affect the activity of a pacemaker exposed to a high-frequency electromagnetic field. This study describes the computational mathematical analysis and modeling of the heart pacemaker inserted under the skin exposed to various electromagnetic field sources, such as a PIFA antenna and a tuned dipole antenna. The finite integration technique (FIT) for a pacemaker model was implemented within the commercially available CST Microwave simulation software studio. Likewise, the equations that describe the mathematical relationship between the subcutaneous layer thickness and electric field according to different exposures of a tuned dipole and a PIFA antenna are used and applied for training a neural network. The main output of this study is the creation of a mathematical model and a multilayer feedforward neural network, which can show the dependence of the thickness of the hypodermis on the size of the electromagnetic field, from the simulated data from CST Studio.

Remote Monitoring of CIEDs-For Both Safety, Economy and Convenience?

Cardiac implantable electronic devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators are increasingly monitored by systems transmitting information directly from the patient to the hospital. This may increase safety and patient satisfaction and also under certain circumstances represent an economic advantage. The review summarizes some of the recent research in the field of remote monitoring of cardiac devices.

Advances in telemedicine for the management of the elderly cardiac patient

Telemedicine is the use of information and communication technology to deliver healthcare at a distance. It has been resorted to during the COVID-19 pandemic to lessen the need for in-person patient care decreasing the risk of transmission, and it can be of benefit afterward in the management of cardiac disease. The elderly population has unique challenges concerning the use of telehealth technologies. We thus review the advances in telemedicine technologies in treating elderly cardiac patients including in our discussion only studies with a mean age of participants above 60. Remote monitoring of blood pressure, weight, and symptoms, along with home ECG recording has been found to be superior to usual in-clinic follow up. Combining remote monitoring with video conferencing with physicians, patient education websites, and applications is also of benefit. Remote monitoring of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICD) and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Defibrillators (CRT-D) is also beneficial but can be at the cost of an increase in both appropriate and inappropriate interventions. Implantable sensing devices compatible with remote monitoring have been developed and have been shown to improve care and cost-effectiveness. New smartphone software can detect arrhythmias using home ECG recordings and can detect atrial fibrillation using smartphone cameras. Remote monitoring of implanted pacemakers has shown non-inferiority to in clinic follow up. On the other hand, small-scale questionnaire-based studies demonstrated the willingness of the elderly cardiac patients to use such technologies, and their satisfaction with their use and ease of use. Large-scale studies should further investigate useability in samples more representative of the general elderly population with more diverse socioeconomic and educational backgrounds. Accordingly, it seems that studying integrating multiple technologies into telehealth programs is of great value. Further efforts should also be put in validating the technologies for specific diseases along with the legal and reimbursement aspects of the use of telehealth.

Comparison of depression and anxiety among pacemaker and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator recipients: A cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Anxiety and depression among implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) recipients can lead to physical or psychological consequences and reduce the quality of life of these patients. Few studies have compared the frequency and severity of depressive and anxiety disorders in the pacemaker (PM) and ICD recipients. The aim of the present study was to compare depression and anxiety among PM and ICD recipients.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was performed on 296 patients referred to a specialized cardiology teaching hospital from October 1, 2019 to July 1, 2020. Patients were selected using convenience sampling method.

RESULTS

Regarding anxiety, the results showed that the overall prevalence of anxiety in PM, ICD, and control groups was 23.5%, 28%, and 8%, respectively. Results showed no significant difference between PM and ICD recipients regarding the anxiety prevalence (p = .46). With regard to depression, the results showed that the overall prevalence of depression in the PM, ICD, and control groups was 7.1%, 23%, and 4.1%, respectively. The results showed a significant difference between PM and ICD recipients in terms of depression prevalence (p = .03). The results also showed that the prevalence of depression was significantly higher among PM and ICD recipients than the control group (p = .01).

CONCLUSION

Considering the results of the present study and the high prevalence of anxiety and depression, it seems necessary to focus more on educating patients about the effectiveness of PM and ICD devices in reducing anxiety and depression.

Assessing Communication during Remote Follow-Up of Users with Pacemakers in Norway: The NORDLAND Study, a Randomized Trial

As effective communication is a key ingredient for the provision of quality healthcare services, this study aimed to explore the communication experiences in the remote monitoring of older adults with a pacemaker. The study was based on a non-masked randomized observational design. The Healthcare Communication Questionnaire and in-depth interviews were conducted for data collection. A total of 49 patients participated in the study. The study findings reveal overall positive communication experiences by pacemaker users in remote monitoring with no significant differences from users in hospital monitoring. The remote option is perceived as safe and convenient, and communicating with the clinicians from home is considered comfortable and confidential. The study provides insights into the content of communication experiences in telehealth and practical implications in healthcare contexts. In a world that increasingly relies on remote communication, it is crucial to match technologies to patient needs and assess communication with patients. This will ensure the success of new models of care and establish appropriate criteria for the use of telehealth services. These criteria are all relevant in the implementation of health technology in the future as a part of effective patient-centered care.

Special Issue on E-Health Services

The importance of e-health to citizens, patients, health providers, governments, and other stakeholders is rapidly increasing. E-health services have a range of advantages. For instance, e-health may improve access to services, reduce costs, and improve self-management. E-health may allow previously underserved populations to gain access to services. Services utilizing apps, social media, or online video are rapidly gaining ground in most countries. In this special issue, we present a range of up-to-date studies from around the world, providing important insights into central topics relating to e-health services.

Effectiveness and Safety in Remote Monitoring of Patients with Pacemakers Five Years after an Implant: The Poniente Study

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and functional capacity values immediately after pacemaker (PM) implantation have been well established; however, not much has been known about its long-term effects. The present study compared the long-term effectiveness and safety of remote monitoring plus a clinic visit versus clinic visits alone during follow-up of adults implanted with PMs. This study was a single-centre, controlled, non-randomised, non-blinded clinical trial. Data were collected pre-implantation and after 60 months. The patients in the PONIENTE study were assigned to two different groups: remote monitoring (RM) and conventional monitoring (CM). The EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) questionnaire was used to assess HRQoL and Duke Activity Status Index was used for the functional capacity. After five years, 55 patients completed the study (RM = 21; CM = 34). EuroQol-5D and functional capacity values were improved; however, significant differences were observed only in the EQ5D visual analogue scale (p < 0.001). Remote monitoring was equally feasible, reliable, safe, and clinically useful as CM. The frequencies of rehospitalisations and emergency visits did not differ between the groups. RM was found to be safe and effective in early detection and treatment of medical- and device-related events and in reducing hospital visits. Improved HRQoL was described not only immediately after PM implantation but also extended over a long time.

Cost-utility analysis of telemonitoring versus conventional hospital-based follow-up of patients with pacemakers. The NORDLAND randomized clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

The aim of our study was to perform an economic assessment in order to check whether or not telemonitoring of users with pacemakers offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional follow-up in outpatient clinics.

METHODS

We used effectiveness and cost data from the NORDLAND trial, which is a controlled, randomized, non-masked clinical trial. Fifty patients were assigned to receive either telemonitoring (TM; n = 25) or conventional monitoring (CM; n = 25) and were followed up for 12 months after the implantation. A cost-utility analysis was performed in terms of additional costs per additional Quality-Adjusted Life Year (QALY) attained from the perspectives of the Norwegian National Healthcare System and patients and their caregivers.

RESULTS

Effectiveness was similar between alternatives (TM: 0.7804 [CI: 0.6864 to 0.8745] vs. CM: 0.7465 [CI: 0.6543 to 0.8387]), while cost per patient was higher in the RM group, both from the Norwegian NHS perspective (TM: €2,079.84 [CI: 0.00 to 4,610.58] vs. €271.97 [CI: 158.18 to 385.76]; p = 0.147) and including the patient/family perspective (TM: €2,295.91 [CI: 0.00 to 4,843.28] vs. CM: €430.39 [CI: 0.00 to 4,841.48]), although these large differences-mainly due to a few patients being hospitalized in the TM group, as opposed to none in the CM group-did not reach statistical significance. The Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) from the Norwegian NHS perspective (€53,345.27/QALY) and including the patient/caregiver perspective (€55,046.40/QALY), as well as the Incremental Net Benefit (INB), favors the CM alternative, albeit with very broad 95%CIs. The probabilistic analysis confirmed inconclusive results due to the wide CIs even suggesting that TM was not cost-effective in this study. Supplemental analysis excluding the hospitalization costs shows positive INBs, whereby suggesting a discrete superiority of the RM alternative if hospitalization costs were not considered, albeit also with broad CIs.

CONCLUSIONS

Cost-utility analysis of TM vs. CM shows inconclusive results because of broad confidence intervals with ICER and INB figures ranging from potential savings to high costs for an additional QALY, with the majority of ICERs being above the usual NHS thresholds for coverage decisions.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02237404.