Table 4.
Remote monitoring system differences between manufacturers
| Manufacturer | Abbott | Biotronik | Boston Scientific | Medtronic | MicroPort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RM system | Merlin.net | Home Monitoring | LATITUDE | CareLink | SmartView |
| Home monitor | Merlin@home | CardioMessenger II CardioMessenger II-S CardioMessenger Smart |
LATITUDE NXT Remote Patient Management System | MyCareLink Relay home communicator MyCareLink monitor |
SmartView SmartView Connect (Bluetooth-enabled CIED) |
| Smartphone-based RM applications | myMerlinPulse mobile app (ICD and CRT-D) myMerlin mobile app (ILR) |
No | No | MyCareLink Heart mobile app (Bluetooth ILR, IPG, CRT-P, ICD, CRT-D) MyCareLink Smart (IPG, including leadless IPG) |
Yes; limited to a dedicated smartphone delivered to the patient |
| Patient smartphone applications without RM | No | Biotronik patient app (Biomonitor III or IIIm) | MyLATITUDE Patient App | No | No |
| Transmitter | Stationary or mobile | Stationary or mobile | Stationary | Stationary or mobile | Stationary or mobile |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth; mobile network; Wi-Fi; analog phoneline; RF; inductive telemetry | Mobile network; analog phoneline | Mobile network; Wi-Fi; ethernet; analog phoneline | Bluetooth; mobile network; Wi-Fi; analog phoneline | Bluetooth; mobile network |
| Frequency of transmissions | Scheduled FU; daily FU; alert events | Scheduled FU; daily FU; alert events | Scheduled FU; daily FU; alert events | Scheduled FU; daily FU; alert events | Scheduled FU; daily FU; alert events |
| Programmability of frequency of transmissions | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Programmability of alerts and parameters | Alerts fully configurable online (settings, such as alert notifications, report settings, and data export settings can be done online; adjustments to the patient''s device settings must be done in person). | Alerts can be customized by users into high, medium, and low priorities according to their preferences. Some alerts and parameters can be programmed online. Certain life-threatening alerts cannot be changed as a safety feature. |
RM alerts and parameters can be programmed online through the LATITUDE website. | BlueSync devices: parameters and alerts are configurable via in-clinic programming; notifications for alerts are remotely configurable. BlueSync device (LINQ II only): parameters, alerts, and notifications are configurable remotely. Conexus devices: parameters and alerts are configurable via in-clinic programming; notifications for alerts are configurable remotely; alerts may be manually reset remotely (awaiting approval). |
Alerts can be programmed. |
| Patient-initiated transmission | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Recommended distance from transmitter | <2 meters | <2 meters | <3 meters | <3 meters | <2 meters |
| Real-time IEGM at remote follow-up | 30 seconds | 30 seconds | 10 seconds | 10 seconds | 7 seconds |
| IEGM of arrhythmic episodes | All memorized | All memorized | All memorized | All memorized | All memorized |
| Provider communication method | E-mail, SMS, fax | E-mail, SMS, fax | E-mail, SMS, fax | E-mail, SMS, website | E-mail, SMS, pager, voicemail, mobile app |
| FDA and CE Mark approved | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Additional features | Electronic health record export compatibility; patient callback feature; CorVue fluid status alert; integrated heart failure website for patients with both CardioMEMS (pulmonary artery pressures) and Abbott CIED. | Electronic health record export compatibility; patient callback feature; HeartInsight heart failure monitoring. | Electronic health record export compatibility; HeartLogic heart failure monitoring; optional Bluetooth weight scales and blood pressure cuffs; configurable data transmission to associated caregivers. | Electronic health record export compatibility; OptiVol thoracic impedance alert; Cardiac Compass HF report; TriageHF integrated HF risk assessment tool. |
Electronic health record export compatibility. |
This is current as of the publication date of this document and is subject to change over time. App = application; CE = Conformité Européene; CIED = cardiovascular implantable electronic device; CRT = cardiac resynchronization therapy; CRT-D = cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator; CRT-P = cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemaker; FDA = Food and Drug Administration; FU = follow-up; ICD = implantable cardioverter-defibrillator; IEGM = intracardiac electrogram; ILR = implantable loop recorder; IPG = implantable pulse generator; PM = pacemaker; RF = radio frequency; RM = remote monitoring; SMS = Short Message Service.