Premium
A Prospective Study Utilizing a Transtelephonic Electrocardiographic Transmission Program to Manage Patients in the First Several Months Post‐ICD Implant
Author(s) -
PORTERFIELD JAMES G.,
PORTERFIELD LINDA M.,
BRAY LOUISE,
SUGALSKI JOHN
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
pacing and clinical electrophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.686
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1540-8159
pISSN - 0147-8389
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8159.1991.tb05112.x
Subject(s) - medicine , atrial fibrillation , ventricular tachycardia , cardiology , tachycardia , prospective cohort study , implantable cardioverter defibrillator , implant , anesthesia , surgery
We prospectively enroled 20 consecutive patients (11 men and 9 women; mean age 63 ± 9.5 years) post‐AICD implant in a transtelephonic electrocardiographic transmission (TET) program. The monitor was chosen for its retrograde (30 seconds) and antegrade memory capabilities (45 seconds). The patients were discharged from the hospital after receiving instructions to utilize the system for any cardiac symptoms. The monitor was worn 1–3 months (mean 2.5 ± 0,7 months). During the follow‐up period there were 54 TETs received. Nine were for documented AICD discharges, 19 were for symptoms associated with arrhythmias (11 of these 19 reported AICD discharges that were not documented), and 26 for symptoms not associated with arrhythmias. Eight of the 9 AICD discharges documented were appropriate for ventricular tachycardia (mean 185 ± 40 beats/min). The arrhythmias associated with symptoms were: atrial fibrillation (12); nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (3); ventricular couplets (2); ventricular premature beats (10); and atrial premature contractions (2). Several TETs documented multiple arrhythmias. The most common symptoms not associated with arrhythmias were shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, and nervousness. Office interrogation of the AICDs revealed 12 of the 20 patients (60%) had received AICD discharges, with 5 of these 12 patients unaware of this occurring. We found the TET monitoring system a useful tool in the management of the AICD patient the first several months postoperatively. We were able to assess device function and avoid unnecessary office visits and/or hospitalizations.