Outcomes of Tele-follow-up and Conventional Followup to Detect Postoperative Complications after Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Implantation
Naruepat Sangpornsuk, MD1, Jessada Luxkanawong, MD1, Padoemwut Teerawongsakul, MD1, Teetouch Ananwattanasuk, MD1
Affiliation : 1Cardiology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand
Background: Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) recipients require follow-up at hospitals to identify complications that may occur
after implantation.
Objective: The present study aimed to assess the outcomes of telephone and conventional follow-up for detecting complications among CIED recipients.
Materials and Methods: The present study was a pragmatic, randomized trial comparing tele-follow-up and conventional follow-up. The telefollow-up group sent the investigator a photo of the incision wound and answered questions about the complications on postoperative day 7 via their smartphones. The conventional follow-up group visited the CIED clinic for routine follow-up. The complications associated with CIED implantation were compared between the two groups.
Results: A total of 80 patients were included in the present study: 40 in the tele-follow-up group and 40 in the conventional follow-up group. Complications related to implantation occurred in six patients (15.0%) in the tele-follow-up group and six patients (15.0%) in the conventional follow-up group (hazard ratio [HR] 0.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.16 to 4.68, p=0.44) 7 days after surgery. Furthermore, 17 (42.5%) patients in the tele-follow-up group and 12 (30.0%) patients in the conventional follow-up group (HR 1.56, 95% CI 0.65 to 3.74, p=0.16) developed complications 30 days after surgery. The satisfaction scores were 22.49±1.67 and 21.10±2.26 in the tele-follow-up and conventional follow-up groups, respectively (p=0.003).
Conclusion: In patients with CIED implantation, the procedure-related complications were not significantly different between the tele-follow up and conventional follow-up groups. However, the tele-follow-up group had higher satisfaction scores than the conventional follow-up group.
Received 24 September 2024| Revised 12 February 2025 | Accepted 28 February 2025
Keywords : Cardiac implantable electronic devices; Postoperative complication; Tele-follow-up
