Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on implantation of cardiac implantable electronic devices and remote monitoring activations.
REVISTA ESPANOLA DE CARDIOLOGIA (ENGLISH ED.) 2024;
77:243-253. [PMID:
37516312 DOI:
10.1016/j.rec.2023.07.003]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES
Remote monitoring (RM) of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) is considered more reliable, efficient, and safer than conventional in-person follow-up. However, the implementation of RM is still suboptimal. This study aimed to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the rates of CIED implants and RM activations in Spain.
METHODS
The COVID-19 RM Spain Registry was used to analyze the monthly number of all CIED implantations and RM activations from January 2018 to December 2021. A descriptive analysis was performed using aggregated data from the five major CIED manufacturers.
RESULTS
A total of 205 345 CIEDs were recorded. The number of implants decreased sharply (48.2%) during the pandemic lockdown (March-June 2020) but gradually increased thereafter, compensating for the previous reduction. However, pacemakers and implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICD) showed an aggregate loss of 7% and 3%, respectively, from the annual average during 2020-2021. In contrast, cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-D) increased by 17%, and pacemakers (CRT-P) by 4.5% over the 2-year period. The percentage of RM activations increased from 24.5% in 2018 to 49.0% in 2021, with a sharp increase during the lockdown. The RM activation rates consistently increased during the lockdown for all devices: pacemakers (14.4% vs 37.2%; P <.001); ICD (75.6% vs 94.2%; P <.001); CRT-D/CRT-P (68.6-44.2% vs 81.6-61%; P <.001), and implantable loop recorders (50.2% vs 68.7%; P <.001).
CONCLUSIONS
The significant decline in implants during the lockdown gradually recovered, except for pacemakers and ICD. However, the COVID-19 pandemic boosted RM for all CIEDs in Spain.
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