Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) can provide a lot of benefits to patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, with or without symptoms, through continuous and real-time monitoring of patient data.
The current treatment choices of patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome have an excellent long-term outlook. Due to several circumstances, including a family history of sudden cardiac death, more complex accessory electrical circuits in the heart, and more acute tachycardia symptoms, some patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome may be at an elevated risk for cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death.
Benefits of Remote Patient Monitoring for Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome Patients
Medications such as antiarrhythmic medicines may be prescribed for patients who exhibit symptoms of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. In some circumstances, a doctor may suggest a surgical treatment to locate the additional electrical pathway, followed by catheter ablation. A catheter is utilized to direct radiofrequency energy to the area of the other electrical channel in the heart, which destroys the tissue during the treatment. This treatment has a high success rate for restoring a normal heart rhythm.
Real-time access to patient data
RPM is essential in every step of this treatment process. Real-time access to potentially dangerous arrhythmias has certain advantages. This is especially true for individuals with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome who are being watched for syncope or taking an antiarrhythmic therapy with a proarrhythmic risk. Rapid data access could lead to clinically relevant management decisions in these situations. Hence remote patient monitoring devices with real-time data access are desired.
Continuous monitoring outside the clinical environment
Continuous arrhythmic recurrence analysis using RPM devices is the most stringent measure of outcome and success post-ablation in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. RPM enables patients to take measurements at home, reducing their need to visit a clinic or hospital for non-urgent consultations.
The evaluation of ablation success determines success rates and clinical decisions for antiarrhythmic medication and re-ablation, and possibly in the future for anticoagulation. Hence continuous monitoring is vital in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.
How about for Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome patients without symptoms? Can they benefit from Remote Patient Monitoring?
Yes. Patients without symptoms are mostly concerned about unknown health deterioration or emergencies. RPM is equipped with portable devices such as blood pressure monitors and pulse oximeters, allowing patients to take measurements and send readings to their healthcare providers in real-time.
Whether a person with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome has no symptoms, a doctor may suggest monitoring the heart to see if symptoms emerge. The specific therapy recommendation is based on each person’s symptoms, family history, and any other health issues they may have.
Timely medical intervention
Doctors using RPM may focus on the patient’s cardiovascular, pulmonary perfusion status, and neurological exam. A persistent arrhythmia is frequently symptomatic, and vital signs for tachycardia will be noticeable. A portable remote patient monitoring device can immediately detect and characterize the arrhythmia and tell the rate and rhythm. Blood pressure might range from average to high to hypotension, depending on the severity of the tachyarrhythmia, comorbidities, and the patient’s capacity to adapt to the arrhythmia.
Portable, reliable, and easy-to-use medical devices
Blood pressure monitoring devices can immediately measure and record blood pressure and determine trends in blood pressure during arrhythmic episodes. The patient’s respiratory rate will fluctuate depending on the level of discomfort and capacity to maintain perfusing blood pressure.
Finger pulse oximeters are small devices that read oxygen levels in the blood. The instrument detects a person’s oxygen saturation level or the amount of oxygen in the blood. It can tell how well the heart pumps blood to the hands and feet. Compared to standard monitors, these devices are smaller, allow for more comprehensive monitoring, and give real-time data when the patient transmits a recording during the symptomatic episode.
Takeaway
Remote patient monitoring helps patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, whether asymptomatic or symptomatic. Aside from providing continuous and accurate time monitoring for asymptomatic patients, it also plays a vital role in symptomatic patients. For symptomatic patients, baseline rhythms can be recorded before the ablation surgery to identify medications’ potential dangers and effects. Post-procedure monitoring with remote patient monitoring help collects information to detect any changes and ensure that medicines given post-procedure are not creating any side effects.
