Telemedicine

New, wireless pacemakers used in Quebec patients

MONTREAL – The electrophysiology team at the Montreal Heart Institute (MHI) recently performed the first implantation of a new type of wireless pacemaker in Canada. The Accent RFMC pacemaker is designed for people with bradycardia, an abnormally slow heart rate.

The landmark procedure was carried out last October by Drs. Bernard Thibault and Peter Guerra, both of whom are cardiologists, electrophysiologists and professors at the Université de Montréal. The patient responded favourably to the procedure, and four additional implantations have since been performed, again with successful outcomes.

Developed by St-Jude Medical, the Accent RFMC pacemaker provides electronic stimulation when the heart beats too slowly. It also makes it possible to monitor the patient’s condition at a distance – a major practical advantage – which ensures more effective communication between the patient and the physician.

Indeed, this cardiac pacemaker offers automatic test results and complete diagnostics that can be accessed via wireless communication from the physician’s office or the patient’s home.

Data from the wireless pacemaker are automatically forwarded to the physician, with no manipulation or patient interaction required, since the data are usually collected while the patient is sleeping at home. The physician can access all of the data by simply consulting the Merlin.net Patient Care Network.

In addition, wireless communication makes it possible to alert the physician to important changes with the device or the patient’s heart rate. The Merlin.net Patient Care Network also allows physicians to compile more complete patient records by easily transferring data collected with the pacemaker into electronic health records. Physicians can thus consult information on patients at any time from an easy-to-access site.

“This new device offers a viable alternative in terms of diagnosis, monitoring and therapy by ensuring more effective and documented communication between patients and physicians,” says Dr. Bernard Thibault. “Being able to monitor patients remotely lets us achieve important gains in effectiveness without compromising the quality of care to patients, who no longer have to travel just for routine examinations. The automatic alerts give patients greater peace of mind, since they can be assured that we will be advised if there are any changes with the device or their condition.”

“I’m very happy to benefit from this new type of pacemaker,” says Maurice Forest, the first patient to receive the device, which relies on wireless technology. “Just having it gives me a great sense of security. And since the monitoring can be done at a distance, I have true peace of mind, knowing that all of my symptoms are under continuous supervision. For me, it’s like having a physician follow me on a daily basis.”

About St. Jude Medical
To find out more about St-Jude Medical, and the Accent RFMC pacemaker, please go to http://www.sjm.com.

About the Montreal Heart Institute
Founded in 1954 by Dr. Paul David, the Montreal Heart Institute constantly aims for the highest standards of excellence in the cardiovascular field through its leadership in prevention, ultra-specialized care, training of professionals, clinical and fundamental research, and assessment of new technologies. It is affiliated with the Université de Montréal and its clinical outcomes are among the best in the world. To learn more about the Institute, please visit our website at www.icm-mhi.org.

About the Université de Montréal
Rooted in Montreal and international in its vocation, the Université de Montréal is one of the largest French-speaking universities in the world. Founded in 1878, the Université de Montréal includes 13 faculties and two professional schools. With its affiliated schools, HEC Montréal and École Polytechnique, the Université de Montréal is the leading centre for higher learning and research in Québec and one of the most important in North America. The Université de Montréal brings together some 2,500 teachers and researchers and is home to over 60, 000 students.

Posted Dec. 24, 2009