HRS/EHRA Expert Consensus on the Monitoring of Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices (CIEDs): Description of Techniques, Indications, Personnel, Frequency and Ethical Considerations

May 2008

This Expert Consensus document (PDF, 172K) represents expert consensus concerning the Monitoring of Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices (CIEDs). The views expressed are of the international writing group consisting of seven cardiac electrophysiologists representing the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), six from the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) as well as one heart failure specialist representing the Heart Failure Society of America and another from the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology.

The topic covered by this document includes the monitoring of CIEDs with a description of the technology, indications for use, personnel involved in monitoring and the frequency and types of monitoring events. Also covered are issues in regard to:

• Data management
• Regulatory environments
• Reimbursement and ethical considerations in respect to device inactivation.

This statement summarizes the opinion of the writing group members based on their own experience in treating patients, as well as a review of the literature, and is directed to all health care professionals, health care institutions, CIED manufacturers and governmental, reimbursement and regulatory bodies who are involved in the care of patients with CIEDs.

Read the Heart Rhythm Society press release announcing the release of the Expert Consensus Statement.