Remote Monitoring-The Future of Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Follow-up

Remote monitoring has developed out of the need to accommodate the demand of the growing implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) population. After several years of clinical use, remote device interrogation systems have demonstrated ease of use for both patient and provider, reliability compared with in-office interrogations, and the ability to detect asymptomatic but clinically significant events. The effect of remote monitoring on morbidity and mortality is currently unknown, but several trials are underway to assess these outcomes. Many devices also have the capacity to remotely track physiologic parameters that may improve the management of heart failure. Remote monitoring of ICD-CRT populations is a promising technological advancement that likely will become the standard of care for ICD follow-up.