Home Monitoring of Cardiac Devices in the Era of COVID-19.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite the promise of remote patient monitoring (RPM), this technology remained underutilized secondary to a lack of data transparency and systems issues until the COVID-19 pandemic ushered in a new era of telehealth and virtual solutions out of necessity. This review will explore the data supporting the use of RPM via both implantable and wearable devices in the field of cardiology and the role of home monitoring using RPM in the era of COVID-19. RECENT FINDINGS: RPM using implantable cardiac devices is a safe alternative to in-person only visits which leads to enhanced patient satisfaction and improved clinical outcomes. Consumer-grade wearable sensors have drastically expanded RPM capabilities from just the sickest cardiac patients to the entire population aiding in early diagnosis and real-time disease management. Home monitoring enabled by automated alert systems tailored specifically to the needs of the patient by the provider will be the cornerstone of a more continuous, patent-centric healthcare model.

COVID-19 testing and infection surveillance: Is a combined digital contact-tracing and mass-testing solution feasible in the United States?

In December 2019, the novel COVID-19 virus spread from a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China, to every corner of the globe, creating a worldwide pandemic pushing hospital systems past capacity and bringing economies worldwide to a halt. The COVID-19 pandemic is unique in comparison to prior coronavirus epidemics in its superior ability to be spread by asymptomatic and presymptomatic patients, allowing the virus to silently evade traditional symptoms-based screening approaches. Countries have implemented cutting-edge digital solutions to enhance traditional contact-tracing methodologies in combination with novel testing strategies to combat the virus, with variable levels of success. Despite having one of the most advanced and expensive health care systems in the world, the United States (U.S.) response is arguably one of the world's largest failures, as it leads the globe in case number as well as deaths. Until a successful vaccine can be broadly distributed, it is imperative that the U.S. curb the viral spread by rapidly developing a framework implementing both enhanced tracing and testing strategies balancing the needs of public health while respecting individual liberties. This review will explore the role of technology-augmented contact-based surveillance in tracking the outbreak in select countries in comparison to the current U.S. approach. It will evaluate barriers in the U.S. to implementing similar technologies, focusing on privacy concerns and a lack of unified testing and tracing strategy. Finally, it will explore strategies for rapidly scaling testing in a cost-effective manner.