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Battery life of cardiac implantable electronic devices explanted in funeral homes: a potential resource for
Iñigo Lorenzo Ruiz1,2, Haritz Arrizabalaga Arostegi3, Ainhoa Fernández Atucha1
1Nursing Department I, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.
Introduction:
Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) could still have adequate battery life and functionality when they are explanted after the death of the carrier, supposing an important resource for low- and middle- income countries where patients cannot afford new devices.
Objective:
The aim was to analyze the remaining battery life and reusability of CIEDs recovered from funeral homes.
Method:
A descriptive study of postmortem explanted CIEDs was conducted. Devices were collected from three funeral homes in the Spanish region of the Basque Country (participation rate 33.3%). Devices with a remaining battery life of >75% or > 4 years, preserved external integrity and no evidence of malfunction were considered reusable.
Results:
A total of 188 CIEDs were collected (175 pacemakers and 13 defibrillators). Of the total number of devices, 95 (50.5%) had enough battery to be interrogated. Among the interrogable devices, a total of 20 pacemakers (22.4%) had an estimated battery life of more than 4 years, as well as preserved integrity and no record of malfunction.
Conclusions:
A non-negligible number of postmortem explanted devices had battery life, external integrity and functionality to be considered reusable. Postmortem CIED donation could provide treatment to patients unable to afford new devices.
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