LATITUDE Patient Management allows anytime, anywhere access to patient status and device data

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Patient background:

Implanting Physician: Mitchell N. Faddis, M.D., Ph.D., Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri; assistant professor of medicine, The Cardiovascular Division, Washington University School of Medicine

Allied Health Professional: Laurie Sinn, R.N., B.S.N., clinical nurse coordinator

History: The patient has a history of HF and ischemic cardiomyopathy complicated by arrhythmias. His first device was implanted as a result of syncope and a positive electrophysiology test. Per clinic protocol, this patient was on a six-month follow-up schedule, but due to a recent industry recall, he now requires an interrogation every three months. This patient and his spouse spend most of their time traveling the countryside in their recreational vehicle (RV) and do not have a permanent residence or home telephone.

Incorporating LATITUDE Active Monitoring into this patient's care: LATITUDE has allowed the patient to continue his normal life and to travel freely in his RV with his portable LATITUDE Communicator. The increased follow-up demand was a limiting factor for this patient until the launch of the new LATITUDE Patient Management system.

Situation: Sinn established a remote follow-up protocol.

Action: Regardless of where they are, every three months the patient and his spouse spend one night in a hotel of their choice where he plugs his Communicator into the phone line and proactively sends a wireless transmission to the clinic using the patient-initiated interrogation feature.

Response: The patient no longer has to limit his distance from the clinic and can stay connected to his primary clinicians while maintaining the "latitude" his lifestyle requires.

Heart Rhythm Society Draft Recommendations Report

"The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) recommends that CRM device manufacturers develop and utilize wireless and remote monitoring technologies to:

²www.hrsonline.org

Individual results may vary.

Individual symptoms, situations, and circumstances may vary. Patients should consult a physician or qualified health provider regarding medical condition and appropriate medical treatment. The information provided is not intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment or as a substitute for professional medical advice. This information is to be used in conjunction with other resource material, which may include the applicable patient handbook, Boston Scientific device physician's manual and any implant accessories instructions for use.