HTA Details
Internet-Based Device-Assisted Remote Monitoring of Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices
- Publication date
-
2012-January-01
- Status
- Final
- Topic Area
- Cardiac Cardiovascular
- Recommendation
-
Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee Recommendation
- Based on high-quality evidence that Internet-based device-assisted remote monitoring systems for implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) can safely and effectively be substituted for in-office device clinic follow-up care, the Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee recommends that these remote monitoring systems should be increasingly used in patients for whom access to clinic-mediated monitoring presents a problem for geographic or other reasons.
- Ministry Response
-
This topic is currently under re-review by Health Quality Ontario.
-
To read the full OHTAC Recommendation Report for this topic, contact our Health Innovation team using the contact form to request a digital copy.
Cardiovascular implantable electronic devices include pacemakers and cardioverter-defibrillators. These devices are used in patients whose hearts beat too quickly, too slowly or in an irregular pattern. They monitor heart rhythm and use electrical pulses to keep the heart beating properly. Patients with such devices have regular visits to outpatient clinics to ensure their devices are performing correctly. However, this means any irregular heart rhythms may not be discovered until weeks or months after they occur.
Remote monitoring systems provide physicians with information from the implantable cardiac devices with little time delay. They may reduce the total follow-up time patients spend in clinics, reduce physician workload, and lower patients’ transportation costs, especially in places without outpatient clinics.
Last Updated: February 24, 2026
