Authors' objectives:

1) To compare the technical features of cardiac pacemakers, electrodes and cardioverter defibrillators specified on the marketing material of the products marketed by different dealers in Catalonia during the period 1994 - May 1996;

2) to analyse, by means of a review of the scientific evidence, whether the differences observed in the design of this type of product may influence the clinical outcomes.

Authors' results and conclusions: From the point of view of the technical features of the analysed products no substantial differences have been found according to the type of stimulation (NASPE/BPEG letter coding) which may cause variation in patients' clinical outcomes. The main differences found among the models are in thestimulation modes and the additional functions for telemetry and follow-up. Before purchasing a pacemaker with these additional functions its potential use in each patient has to be considered. When deciding the purchase of any type of product, the main parameters to take into consideration are: a) availability of a register number from the Ministry of Health; b) stimulation mode; c) characteristics of the battery, and d) protection and safety elements. The final decision when selecting a pacemaker depends on the patient's clinical status.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.gencat.net/salut/depsan/units/aatrm/html/en/dir393/doc7921.ht ml

Year Published: 1996

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Spain

Organisation Name: Agencia de Qualitat i Avaluacio Sanitries de Catalunya

Contact Address: Antoni Parada, CAHTA, Roc Boronat, 81-95 (2nd floor), 08005 Barcelona, Spain, Tel. +34 935 513 928, Fax: +34 935 517 510

Contact Name: direccio@aatrm.catsalut.net / aparada@aatrm.catsalut.net

Contact Email: direccio@aatrm.catsalut.net / aparada@aatrm.catsalut.net

Copyright: Catalan Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Research