INTRODUCTION: Remote monitoring (RM) has significantly transformed the standard of care for patients with cardiac electronic implantable devices It provides easy access to valuable information, such as arrhythmic events, acute decompensation manifestations and device-related issues, without the need of in-person visits METHODS: Starting March 1st, 332 patients were introduced to a RM program during the Italian lockdown in order to limit the risk of in-hospital exposure to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 Patients were categorized into two groups based on the modality of RM delivery [home (n=229) vs office (n= 103) delivered] The study aimed at assessing the efficacy of the new follow-up protocol, assessed as mean RM Activation Time (AT) and need for technical support Additionally, patients' acceptance and anxiety status were quantified via the Home Monitoring Acceptance and Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale RESULTS: AT time was &lt;48 hours in 93% of patients and 7% of them required further technical support Despite a higher number of trans-telephonic technical support in home-delivered RM group, mean AT was similar between groups (1 33±0 83 days in home-delivered vs 1 28±0 81 days in office-delivered patients;p=0 60) Twenty-eight (2 5%) urgent/emergent in-person examinations were required A high degree of patient satisfaction was reached in both groups whereas anxiety status was higher in office-delivered group CONCLUSIONS: The adoption of RM resulted in high patient satisfaction, regardless of the modality of modem delivery;nonetheless, in-office modem delivery was associated with a higher prevalence of anxiety symptoms This article is protected by copyright All rights reserved
Management of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Follow-Up in COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learnt During Italian Lockdown