Future of Smart Cardiovascular Implants

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in Western society. Recent technological advances have opened the opportunity of developing new and innovative smart stent devices that have advanced electrical properties that can improve diagnosis and even treatment of previously intractable conditions, such as central line access failure, atherosclerosis and reporting on vascular grafts for renal dialysis. Here we review the latest advances in the field of cardiovascular medical implants, providing a broad overview of the application of their use in the context of cardiovascular disease rather than an in-depth analysis of the current state of the art. We cover their powering, communication and the challenges faced in their fabrication. We focus specifically on those devices required to maintain vascular access such as ones used to treat arterial disease, a major source of heart attacks and strokes. We look forward to advances in these technologies in the future and their implementation to improve the human condition.

Graphene-Based Sensors for Human Health Monitoring

“…Until now, cardiac implanted devices including pacemakers and defibrillators, are capable of long-term sensing and pacing, diagnosis and treatment of rhythms and resynchronization, which can hardly be realized outside of the body (Freedman et al, 2017). Traditional pacing only activates the myocardium in leads, which may also face complications including lead failure, infection or tricuspid valve insufficiency (Bussooa et al, 2018). Leadless pacing is an alternative with a subcutaneous pocket and transvenous lead, which reduces complications (Merkel et al, 2017).…”

Screening and surveillance of venous stenosis in AVG: Is it time to rethink our assumptions?

“…Beyond this, research continues into stent design with for example smart stents with remote reporting that may further improve tailored diagnosis and even treatment. 22,23 Summary: In summary, the time has come to reconsider our preconceptions and initiate a collaborative approach to effective definitive screening/surveillance and devise trials that address the right target with the right treatment at the right time measured by the right outcome -a mantra that echoes the generalised approach to vascular access.…”

A Review of the Commercially Available ECG Detection and Transmission Systems—The Fuzzy Logic Approach in the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Arrest

“…These FDA-approved implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) models from Medtronic (Reveal) and Abbott (Confirm) are the so-called implantable loop recorders (ILR) [45]. This technology offers cardiologists and their patients an opportunity to monitor 24/7 for potentially life-threatening arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachyarrhythmias: VT, fast VT, non-sustained VT (nsVT), VF, bradyarrhythmias and asystole.…”