Remote monitoring of implantable cardiac devices can be a convenient and effective way for physicians to make sure the technology is working consistently and to be alerted quickly if a problem arises. Unlike in-person device evaluation, which is done only during office visits, remote monitoring provides doctors with essentially continual device interrogation. However, as a recent Cleveland Clinic study reveals, remote monitoring is only effective if the patient remembers to transmit device data on schedule. Research published online recently in HeartRhythm found that nearly half of the patients studied missed scheduled transmissions. The result of missing a planned transmission requires, on average, nearly an hour spent on the phone in a follow-up between patient and physician.
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