Utilization of remote reprogramming to manage insertable cardiac monitor arrhythmia alert burden

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionThe increasing use of insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs) for long‐term continuous arrhythmia monitoring creates a high volume of transmissions and a significant workload for clinics. The ability to remotely reprogram device alert settings without in‐office patient visits was recently introduced, but its impact on clinic workflow compared to the previous ICM iteration is unknown.MethodsThe aim of this real‐world study was to evaluate the impact of device reprogramming capabilities on ICM alert burden and on clinic workflow. Deidentified data was obtained from US patients and a total of 19 525 receiving a LINQ II were propensity score‐matched with 19 525 implanted with LINQ TruRhythm (TR) ICM based on age and reason for monitoring.ResultsAfter reprogramming, ICM alerts reduced by 20.5% (p < .001). Compared with patients monitored with LINQ TR, patients with LINQ II had their device reprogrammed sooner after implant and more frequently during follow‐up. Adoption of remote programming was projected to lead to an annual total clinic time savings of 211 h per 100 ICM patients managed.ConclusionThese data suggest that utilization of ICM alert reprogramming has increased with remote capabilities, which may reduce clinic and patient burden for ICM follow‐up and free clinician time for other valuable patient care activities.