Societal views of pacemaker reutilization for those with untreated symptomatic bradycardia in underserved nations

Abstract

The results of our survey show that a large percentage of funeral directors, patients with implantable devices, and members of the general population support a pacemaker reutilization initiative. This study lends further evidence that collection of devices for reuse is feasible and that establishing a framework for regional pacemaker reutilization program is warranted. If successful, the feasibility of this model should be investigated in other parts of the country in order to alleviate the burden of untreated symptomatic bradycardia in our world.

Heart Rhythm Society Members’ Views on Pacemaker and Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillator Reuse

“…This finding is consistent with the survey data by Gakenheimer et al, indicating that 87% of patients with CIEDs and 71% of the general population would support a pacemaker reutilization initiative if given the opportunity. 3 These data suggest that there is enough support for donation among the patients and their families that a large number of devices would potentially be available, if legal and regulatory issues surrounding CIED collection and reprocessing were resolved.…”

“…2 Previously published survey data indicate that 89% of funeral directors, 87% of patients with implantable devices, and 71% of the general population would support a pacemaker reutilization initiative if given the opportunity. 3 However, little is currently known about Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) physician members' opinions regarding device reuse. Physician acceptance is essential to the success of a device reutilization program, including those in donor countries (to facilitate device explantation, screening for reusability, and sterilization) as well as those in recipient countries (to select appropriate recipient patients and perform reimplantation).…”

Reuse of Cardiac Rhythm Control Devices: A Review

“…16 In a recent survey involving 90 funeral directors in Michigan, 114 patients with devices and 1,009 members of the general population, cremation rate was 35%, the majority of devices (84%) were discarded as medical waste or stored with no intended purpose, 89% of funeral directors, 87% of device patients and 71% of the general population expressed a desire to donate devices to the needy patients. 17 In developed countries, disposal of the dead bodies by cremation appears to be increasing; the estimated cremation rate for 2025 is 59%. 18 Therefore, nearly 2 million individuals with pacemakers and ICDs are expected to be cremated in 2025, and their device will have to be explanted as per routine protocol.…”

“…Bangladesh (5), India (17), Pakistan (4), Indonesia (2), Mayanmar (2), Sudan (5), Peru (30). Large ICD implanters per million population included USA (434), Germany (290), the Netherlands (220), and Italy (174).…”

Pacemaker reuse: an initiative to help those in underserved nations in need of life-saving device therapy

“…Importantly, patients and their families are willing to participate in pacemaker donation. In a survey of 114 device patients, 87% reported that they would be willing to have their devices removed post-mortem and donated for use in LMICs [8]. that 89% of funeral directors would be willing to donate devices if given an appropriate framework [9].…”