22
Implantation
Follow-up
Follow-up
Follow-up intervals
Follow-ups must be performed at regular, agreed intervals.
•
Following the lead ingrowth phase, approximately 3 months after implantation,
the first follow-up should be carried out by the physician using the programmer
(in-office follow-up).
•
The next in-office follow-up should be carried out once a year and no later than
12 months after the last in-office follow-up.
Follow-up with BIOTRONIK
Home Monitoring
®
Monitoring using the Home Monitoring function does not serve to replace regular
in-office appointments with the physician required for other medical reasons.
Follow-up supported by Home Monitoring can be used to functionally replace in-
office follow-up under the following conditions:
•
The patient was informed that the physician must be contacted if symptoms
worsen or if new symptoms arise despite the use of the Home Monitoring
function.
•
Device messages are transmitted regularly.
•
The physician decides whether the data transmitted via Home Monitoring with
regard to the patient's clinical condition as well as the technical state of the
device system are sufficient. If not, an in-office follow-up has to be carried out.
Possible early detection due to information gained via Home Monitoring may
necessitate an additional in-office follow-up. For example, the data may indicate at
an early stage lead problems or a foreseeable end of service time (ERI).
Furthermore, the data could provide indications of previously unrecognized
arrhythmias or regarding modification of therapy by reprogramming the device.
Follow-up with the
programmer
Use the following procedure for in-house follow-up:
1
Record and evaluate the ECG.
2
Interrogate the device.
3
Evaluate the status and automatically measured follow-up data.
4
Check the sensing and pacing functions.
5
Manually perform standard tests if necessary.
6
Possibly evaluate statistics and IEGM recordings.
7
Possibly adjust program functions and parameters.
8
Transmit the program permanently to the device.
9
Print and document follow-up data (print report).
10
Finish the follow-up for this patient.
