BIOTRONIX Remote Monitoring

I have the same one

by valley01 - 2017-06-20 16:40:44

I used to have the larger monitor that sat next to my bed and it downloaded every night (morning) around 3am while I was sleeping. I recieved the one you described (white smart phone appearance) in the mail one day with no directions so I called my EP's office. They knew nothing about it and called Biotronik. I was told that it was simply a replacement for the larger monitor and that I didn't have to carry it with me all the time (I asked). It records the same things the old monitors recorded and send an alert to your doctor when certain determined paramaters are breeched. They also do remote monitoring - I was officially "checked" every 3 months but only had to go into the office once a year because they just reviewed the data collected by the monitor the rest of the times. Your situation may be different so always check with your doctor but in my case I was told to just leave it next to my bed.

Remote Monitoring

by JoJo B - 2017-06-20 22:04:53

Hi, and Welcome. I too am a Biotronik pacer with the small monitor. 

First, I'm wondering what happened after you were advised to go in, presuming you did so and were able to report your symptoms and have your pacer interrogated? Not knowing that, here are my thoughts...

The monitor just stays close to where you sleep, without other running equipment in line between the monitor and you. (I use a CPAP and just ensure it does not sit between me and the Biotronik monitor, for example). It just needs to stay powered; it only reads "OK" when it's operating properly, and it transmits whatever data it collects once every 24 hours, usually around 2-3 am. If you travel, it stays at home. I believe the data goes to a cloud-based databank of sorts (don't quote me). The data is recalled when you go in for your checks with your physician or Biotronik tech, and tells them if your pacer is working properly, and they will still 'interrogate' how your pacer is working while you're there.  They can print out certain datasets as well as your current settings (go ahead and ask for a printout or copy of the settings at the end of your visits). They might say, 'yep, it's transmitting' and look to see if it conforms with any issues you report, and help determine what adjustments may be in order. 

I'd like to think that, at two weeks, you are having a checkup with at least a cardio nurse and the Biotronik rep very soon. The nurse should peek at your incision and give you a pep talk about how it continues healing, what restrictions and care you still need to perform, and set your 6-week checkup (hopefully) with your physician. Tell them your symptoms, questions and concerns clearly, and if needed, ask if they can assure you that everything is in place correctly or might you need assessments to confirm lead placement, and any adjustments that  might be indicated. They should either assure you or refer you for more assessment, depending on how they view your symptoms. Don't leave without feeling you have been heard and properly answered. Even if they give you that puzzled look, shrugged shoulders, and the "gee yeah, I dont know what that is" reply.

While the monitor provides data history and can identify abnormal events that can be assessed and addressed as needed, such as confirming symptoms you may be having, I don't think it sets off an alarm for anyone to jump up and respond to for you (darn, but I could be wrong). If that was the case, someone would have called me to say, "oh gee, your lead detached, again, please come in so we can fix that again."

That time period needed for your pacer to adjust and sync with you could explain some of what you are feeling, but still get in to see someone to clear things up for you, especially if symptoms worsen rather than improve. Go right in if you feel like fainting, are too lightheaded, short of breath, have weird heart rate and/or BP readings, sharp pains or pounding, or signs of infection like fever, etc.

I contacted Biotronik directly via the email provided by their website, and have received good responses, especially since I too would get nowhere fast waiting for replies from my medical staff. Such as, since I had dental appointments after receiving my pacer, does this MRI-friendly pacer play well with the ultrasonic scaler used for cleaning teeth? (Answer was yes, should be no issues with that or any dental equipment and processes except x-rays... dentist confirmed same.) I try to research things from varied angles. Perhaps they can help a bit.

That's all I know about the monitor at this point. Hope you are feeling better about everything soon!

Biotronix Remote Monitoring

by Jimmy Dinfla - 2017-07-03 22:27:09

I had a related experience.  I went for my one week checkup and asked if they were getting my home monitoring readings.  Answer - No.  I found out that the doctor's office must specifically add my name to their data base to get the readings.  They said they would do so.  I called 4 days later to confirm that I was in their system.  I was and they had the home monitoring system's readings from 3:45 a.m. that morning.  So it takes a conscious act by doctor's office to get the readings.

Jimmy