Remote Monitoring of Patients with Implantable Devices-Telemonitoring and Chronic Diseases

The high health care costs and poor quality associated with heart failure have led to the development of remote patient monitoring (RPM or RM) systems and cost-effective disease management strategies. RM of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) is the application of communication technology to patients carrying a pacemaker (PM), an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) or an implantable loop recorder (ILR). The aim of this study is to define and analyze the benefits of modern telecardiology to provide patients with remote clinical assistance especially for patients with implantable devices for early detection of the development of heart failure as well as the limitations inherent therein. Furthermore, the study examines the benefits of telemonitoring in chronic and cardiovascular diseases proposing holistic care. A systematic review was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-PRISMA methodology. The results highlight that telemonitoring has augmented beneficial effects on clinical outcomes of heart failure, including, a reduction in mortality, heart failure hospitalization, all cause hospitalization and also an improvement in Quality of Life.