Spanish Heart Rhythm Association member´s perspectives on implantable
cardiac device reuse in developing countries.
Abstract
a) Introduction and objectives Postmortem explanted cardiac implantable
electronic devices (CIEDs) from developed countries could provide
patients unable to afford new devices in developing countries a
treatment they lack nowadays. This study describes the preferences of
cardiac electrostimulation specialists from Spain on the management of
explanted CIEDs and opinions and concerns regarding reuse in developing
countries. b) Methods A nationwide self-administered questionnaire was
sent to Spanish members of the XXXX1 (n=1110), between December 2020 and
January 2021. c) Results Forty-three responses were obtained (response
rate 4%). There was a strong preference to donate explanted devices for
reuse in humans (61.9%). The group of age younger than average was more
against storing explanted CIEDs (p= 0.014). 57.1% considered it would
be beneficial for patients to have a document so they could reflect
their wishes regarding device handling after their death. 88.1%
indicated that they would strongly agree or to implant postmortem
resterilized pacemakers or ICDs (Implantable cardioverter defibrillator)
containing >70% of the original battery life in patients
who were unable to obtain a new one, the older than average age group
was showed more agreement with this statement (p=0.02). The most
mentioned concerns were device malfunction (57.1%) and infection
(54.8%). d) Conclusions The majority of respondents support reusable
CIEDs donation to developing countries. It would be interesting to study
the feasibility of a nationwide CIED reutilization programme.