Transtelephonic versus remote monitoring of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices: is one approach to be preferred?

i p m t t t a f o r m r t ntracardiac pacemaker implantation was first described a alf century ago; the same authors first reported on transelephonic monitoring (TTM) of such devices a dozen years ater (1,2). Follow-up of the pacemaker patient was recogized as critical, particularly in view of the uncertain eliability associated with leads and generators. Tracking evice longevity and function have remained an important roblem (3,4), compounded by the development of more idespread indications for pacemakers (5), increasingly omplex devices, and mounting advisories that attest to an ver-present threat of premature device failure (6,7). Ironcally, the population at risk of device malfunction has xpanded due to medical and technological advances resultng in greater patient and pacemaker longevity. Device ollow-up technology has also evolved, inevitably raising the uestion “how are pacemaker patients and their devices best onitored?”