Implantable cardioverter defibrillator remote monitoring is well accepted and easy to use during long-term follow-up.

INTRODUCTION

Remote monitoring (RM) is becoming the new standard for follow-up of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices. The aim of the present study was to evaluate patients' acceptance and satisfaction of RM by using a specific designed questionnaire.

METHODS

The questionnaire is composed of 12 items aimed at analyzing 5 aspects of patient's acceptance and satisfaction of RM, with a scale ranging from 0 (the worst) to 4 (the best). The questionnaire was submitted to 163 ICD patients (147 male, 71 ± 12 years, 39 CRT-D), and followed by the CareLink Network Medtronic system, after a median follow-up of 20 months (13-26 months). Cronbach's alpha for reliability of the administered questionnaire was 0.73.

RESULTS

The mean score of all 12 items was 3.5 ± 0.3; in detail: (i) relationship with healthcare provider 3.3 ± 0.7; (ii) ease of use of network technology 3.5 ± 0.5; (iii) related psychological aspects 3.5 ± 0.4; (iv) implication of general health 3.4 ± 0.6; (v) overall satisfaction 3.8 ± 0.3. CareLink naïve patients had better scores than those with previous in-person follow-up experience (3.6 ± 0.6 vs. 3.4 ± 0.7, p = 0.027), while no differences were observed between wireless and inductive systems, neither considering the living distance from the hospital. The main independent predictor of patient satisfaction was the implantation of CRT-D [Exp(beta) = 6.80 (1.34-34.62)] (p = 0.021). No correlation was found between age and ease of use of RM, while a positive correlation was observed between age and benefits on psychological aspects (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

ICD patients showed a high level of acceptance and satisfaction for RM. Patients with CRT-D perceived the greatest benefit.