EP Lab Digest - October 2007 - (Page 28)

28 NEWS OCTOBER 2007 New ESC Guidelines on Cardiac Pacing and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy “T hanks to important developments in technology and advances in the essential knowledge which we now have concerning the physiology of the paced beat, patients with sinus node dysfunction and atrioventricular conduction system defects can now be given high quality therapy,” said Professor Panos Vardas, chairman of the ESC’s Guidelines for Cardiac Pacing and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. “These and other developments over the last few years have advanced electrical stimulation further into the realm of ventricular resynchronization as an adjunctive therapy for patients with drug-refractory heart failure and ventricular conduction delay.” Continued from page 1 Guidelines, and more specifically guidelines that include complex devices like pacemakers or the cardiac synchronizers, represent documents of vital importance in daily clinical practice where a common policy in medical practice is imperative, said Professor Vardas. The guidelines were published in the European Heart Journal (doi: 10.1093/eurheart/ehm305) and are available online. The ESC represents nearly 53,000 cardiology professionals across Europe and the Mediterranean. Its mission is to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in Europe. Medtronic Announces European Launch of Wireless System Allowing Prompt Remote Monitoring and Management of Disease Progression in Patients with Heart Devices edtronic, Inc., announced that it has obtained CE Mark approval and is launching the automatic version of the Medtronic CareLink® Network with Conexus™ Wireless Telemetry in the European Union. The Medtronic CareLink Network with wireless telemetry can be programmed to automatically transmit patient and device data on potentially deadly disease progression from an implanted heart device directly to physicians.This has the potential to improve care for millions of patients with heart failure or arrhythmias by allowing prompt monitoring and management of disease progression, which may help prevent sudden cardiac death (SCD). Compatible devices include cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillators (CRT-D) for patients with heart failure and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) for patients with arrhythmias. The Medtronic CareLink Network is also the first approved system to allow remote monitoring and alerting of fluid buildup in the thoracic cavity (a precursor of heart failure) via a proprietary feature called OptiVol® Fluid Status Monitoring, potentially preventing heart failure hospitalizations. According to Dr. John Morgan, Professor of Cardiology, Southampton University, Southampton, England, “This wireless technology is a major step forward in the management of chronic heart disease. For the first time, it allows us M unprecedented, immediate access to patient data.” Approximately 14 million people in Europe currently suffer from heart failure, and a half-million patients die from SCD in Europe each year. “The prompt alert of major disease progression allows any necessary review of patient therapy and prompt intervention if needed — in many cases there is a good chance we can avoid emergency admissions of patients with heart failure to hospitals. Using this technology we can better manage patients in the primary care setting and potentially reduce their dependence on hospitals,” commented Dr. Morgan. The Medtronic CareLink Network with Conexus Wireless Telemetry enables hands-free transmissions that take place automatically if the patient’s device detects a problem, such as an arrhythmia or fluid overload. The new technology offers patients peace of mind knowing physicians will be automatically made aware if certain cardiac problems occur, even in cases where the patient does not feel symptoms. Additionally, it is the only product available that can promptly provide physicians with data comparable to an in-office visit, offering patients more choice and flexibility.The system allows automatic data transmission without interference by cell phones or other electrical equipment via the global standard Medical Implant Communications Service (MICS) radio frequency band.

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of EP Lab Digest - October 2007

Finally! The New Registered Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist (RCES) Credential: Interview with Christopher M. Nelson, RN, RCIS, FSICP ECG 101: Closing the Gap Phenomenon Contents Letter from the Editor ICD Patient Support Group: St. Peter’s Hospital Spotlight Interview: Community Healthcare System Use of Magnetic Catheter Navigation for Ablation of Focal Tachycardias Echocardiography: The Preeminent Front Line Screening and Diagnostic Tool for Cardiovascular Imaging and Physiological Assessment First Annual EP Lab Digest Salary Survey: Last Chance! Clinical Trial Update: 2007 Email Discussion Group Adopting and Implementing the AF Ablation Consensus Statement Electrophysiology in the West Summit Events Calendar The Sustained Treatment of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (STOP AF) Clinical Trial: Interview with Kevin Wheelan, MD Industry News and Products

EP Lab Digest - October 2007

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