Stratification and management of cardiovascular risk in cancer patients. A consensus document of the SEC, FEC, SEOM, SEOR, SEHH, SEMG, AEEMT, AEEC, and AECC.

Both cancer treatment and survival have significantly improved, but these advances have highlighted the deleterious effects of vascular complications associated with anticancer therapy. This consensus document aims to provide a coordinated, multidisciplinary and practical approach to the stratification, monitoring and treatment of cardiovascular risk in cancer patients. The document is promoted by the Working Group on Cardio Oncology of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC) and was drafted in collaboration with experts from distinct areas of expertise of the SEC and the Spanish Society of Hematology and Hemotherapy (SEHH), the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), the Spanish Society of Radiation Oncology (SEOR), the Spanish Society of General and Family Physicians (SEMG), the Spanish Association of Specialists in Occupational Medicine (AEEMT), the Spanish Association of Cardiovascular Nursing (AEEC), the Spanish Heart Foundation (FEC), and the Spanish Cancer Association (AECC).

Effectiveness and safety of remote monitoring of patients with an implantable loop recorder.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Implantable loop recorders have proven efficacy in the study of patients with syncope and palpitations. Remote monitoring of patients with pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators has been shown to be safe and effective. The purpose of this study was to analyze the safety and effectiveness of remote monitoring in patients with an implantable loop recorder. METHODS: Retrospective observational study in which 109 patients with an implantable loop recorder were analyzed and 2 population groups were compared: 1 receiving conventional follow-up consisting of 3-monthly office visits (41 patients) and 1 with remote monitoring via monthly telephone transmissions and yearly visits (68 patients). The mean follow-up was 64 weeks (range, 0.57-164.57 weeks). The study analyzed diagnosis of a significant event, defined as any event that led to a therapeutic approach and explained the symptoms leading to the implant, as well as the mean time from implant to diagnosis and the specific treatment. RESULTS: A significant event was diagnosed in 82.6% of patients; of these, 54.4% had a normal electrocardiogram; 26.7%, asystole; 15.6%, tachycardia, and 3.3%, bradycardia. The mean time from implant to diagnosis was 260 days (range, 5-947 days) in conventional follow-up, compared with 56 days (range, 0-650 days) in patients with remote monitoring (P<.01), which led to targeted treatment in this group 187 days earlier, on average, with no secondary complications. CONCLUSIONS: Remote monitoring of patients with an implantable loop recorder can significantly shorten the time to diagnosis and targeted treatment, without adversely affecting patient safety.