Routine follow-up after pacemaker implantation: frequency, pacemaker programming and professionals in charge.
OBJECTIVE
To describe current evidence of the frequency, contents, and involved professionals of the routine follow-up visits in patients who have received a pacemaker (PM).


RESULTS
The multicentre FOLLOWPACE study prospectively collected data during implantation and follow-up of 1526 patients who received a PM for the first time. A total of 4914 follow-up visits were studied. Mean follow-up was 394 days with a mean of 3.2 visits per patient. At all follow-up visits, the battery condition was tested in >93%, the stimulation threshold in >91%, and sensing in >87%. The pacemaker parameters as stimulation and sensing thresholds, lead impedances, and percentages of pacing remained stable over time, but these values did depend on the lead location, lead fixation, and pulse duration. The majority of PM (re-)programming was performed during implantation and/or shortly before hospital discharge (50%). PM re-programming during follow-up was most frequently performed by the PM technician alone (95%).


CONCLUSIONS
Crucial PM parameters are regularly checked. Re-programming of PM parameters declined during the first year after PM implantation. The majority of PM checks were carried out by the PM technician, indicating the major influence of the allied professional on the quality and safety of the pacing therapy.
van Eck
Jacob W M
JW
Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Bolognalaan 12, 3584 CJ Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.w.m.vaneck-2@umcutrecht.nl
van Hemel
Norbert M
NM
de Voogt
Willem G
WG
Meeder
Joan G
JG
Spierenburg
Hans A
HA
Crommentuyn
Har
H
Keijzer
Rens
R
Grobbee
Diederick E
DE
Moons
Karel G M
KG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002309:Cardiology; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000379:methods*; D009426:Netherlands; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects; D010808:Physical Examination; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D000078329:Workforce