International experts collaborate to issue new recommendations for remote monitoring of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices

New Orleans, LA, May 19, 2023 – Today, the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS), and Latin American Heart Rhythm Society (LAHRS) released a new expert consensus statement on the management of remote device clinics. The 2023 HRS/EHRA/APHRS/LAHRS Expert Consensus Statement on Practical Management of the Remote Device Clinic is a joint effort by the four major cardiac electrophysiology societies and aims to be a comprehensive resource for cardiac electrophysiologists, allied professionals, and other supportive health care technicians and administrative professionals involved in the management of remote monitoring (RM) programs for cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) such as pacemakers, implantable defibrillators, and implantable loop recorders.

It is estimated that approximately 1.7 million CIEDs are implanted worldwide annually. Correspondingly, there has been a substantial rise in the number of patients being remotely monitored. This increase may be attributed to a variety of factors, such as the endorsement of RM as the standard of care for patients with CIEDs and the increased use of RM during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the health and safety of patients and healthcare workers.

“For this document, we took a team-based approach to RM including clinical and nonclinical personnel to perform all tasks related to RM,” said Aileen Ferrick, PhD, ACNP, RN, FHRS from the White Plains Hospital and Co-Chair of the consensus statement. “We delve into topics such as staffing, workflow development, patient education, and communication of transmission results; providing valuable insights that healthcare professionals can use to enhance their practice in caring for patients on RM.”

The consensus statement underscores the importance of having adequate and dedicated staffing, ensuring comprehensive patient education, establishing reliable and continuous connectivity, appropriate programming of alerts, and fostering collaborative partnerships among patients, providers, manufacturers, and payers. It also highlights the variability in the uptake of RM worldwide and discusses the barriers that lead to this disparity.

“Although the concept and importance of RM is widely appreciated, the application of RM is quite complex. With this document, our aim is to not only address the present-day challenges but also to forecast the trajectory of the field over the next few years,” said Satish Raj, MD, MSCI, FHRS from the University of Calgary and Co-Chair of the consensus statement. “By shedding light on this future path, we strived to provide guidance for a system that works better for providers and, most importantly, works better for patients.”

The consensus statement is a result of an international collaboration between recognized experts across the fields of electrophysiology, cardiology, pediatric electrophysiology/cardiology, and heart failure. Patient partners were also intimately involved in the document development to ensure recommendations centered on delivering optimal patient care that is in alignment with patients’ wants, needs, and preferences. The HRS-led consensus statement was developed in partnership with and endorsed by EHRA, APHRS, and LAHRS, and in collaboration with and endorsed by the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, the International Society for Holter and Noninvasive Electrocardiology, and the Pediatric and Congenital Electrophysiology Society.

The consensus statement will be jointly published in Heart Rhythm, EP Europace, and the Journal of Arrhythmia. Its release coincides with a presentation at Heart Rhythm 2023 in New Orleans―a premier event gathering heart rhythm professionals from around the world to advance the field of electrophysiology and improve patient outcomes through the exchange of groundbreaking science, innovative technologies, and life-saving therapies.

Additional Resources

• After May 19, 2023, view the manuscript online in Heart Rhythm

• The document will be presented at Heart Rhythm 2023 during the session “The 2023 HRS/EHRA/APHRS/LAHRS Expert Consensus Statement on Practical Management of the Remote Device Clinic: An International Collaboration on Standards of Care and Best Practices for the Remote Clinic” on May 19, 2023 at 1:30 pm CT

• The consensus statement was developed in accordance with HRS Clinical Document Development Methodology Manual and Policies

About the Heart Rhythm Society

The Heart Rhythm Society is the international leader in science, education, and advocacy for cardiac arrhythmia professionals and patients and is the primary information resource on heart rhythm disorders. Its mission is to improve the care of patients by promoting research, education, and optimal health care policies and standards. Incorporated in 1979 and based in Washington, D.C., it has a membership of more than 8,000 heart rhythm professionals from 94 countries. For more information, visit www.HRSonline.org.

About Heart Rhythm 2023

The Heart Rhythm Society's annual Heart Rhythm meeting convenes 7,000+ of the world’s finest clinicians, scientists, researchers, and innovators in the field of cardiac pacing and electrophysiology. More than 1,500 international experts in the field will serve as faculty and presenters for the 200+ educational sessions, forums, symposia, and ceremonies, while 120+ exhibitors will showcase innovative products and services. For more information, visit www.HeartRhythm.com.

About the European Heart Rhythm Association

The European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) is a branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Its aim is to improve patients’ quality of life and reduce sudden cardiac death by limiting the impact of heart rhythm disturbances. For more information, visit www.escardio.org/EHRA.

About the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society

The Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS) is the international organization specializing in science and education for cardiac arrhythmia professionals. For members, the society regularly offers various educational programs at the state-of-the-art laboratories with excellent lectures. For more information, visit www.aphrs.org.

About the Latin American Heart Rhythm Society

The Latin American Heart Rhythm Society (LAHRS) was founded in 2017 with the aim of continuing the mission started by Sociedad Latinoamericana de Estimulación Cardíaca y Electrofisiología (SOLAECE) more than twenty years ago, promoting the improvement of the quality of life and reducing mortality related to cardiac arrhythmias in the Latin American population. For more information, visit http://www.lahrs.org.