[Cardiac implantable electronic devices and health-related quality of life]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Technology
• Patient Outcomes

Background:

• Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a significant predictor of mortality and healthcare costs in cardiac patients.
• Interventions are sought to improve not only survival but also symptoms, function, and HRQoL.
• Electronic implantable cardiac devices (EICDs) significantly impact patient quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore factors influencing health-related quality of life in patients with cardiac conditions.
• To evaluate the impact of remote monitoring and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) on patient well-being.
• To identify variables crucial for planning quality-of-life improvement strategies.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on EICDs and patient quality of life.
• Analysis of the effects of remote pacemaker monitoring versus in-hospital monitoring.
• Consideration of patient-specific factors affecting quality of life.

Main Results:

• Remote monitoring of pacemakers positively impacts HRQoL and functional capacity, comparable to hospital monitoring.
• Fear of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shocks negatively affects quality of life for most patients.
• Age, gender, and duration of implantation are important factors in assessing and improving quality of life.

Conclusions:

• Strategies to enhance quality of life for EICD patients must account for individual factors and device-specific impacts.
• Remote monitoring offers a viable alternative for pacemaker management, improving patient quality of life.
• Addressing patient psychological responses, such as fear of shocks, is essential for optimizing care.