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. 2022 Jan 4;24(1):165-172.
doi: 10.1093/europace/euab193.

European Society of Cardiology Quality Indicators for the care and outcomes of cardiac pacing: developed by the Working Group for Cardiac Pacing Quality Indicators in collaboration with the European Heart Rhythm Association of the European Society of Cardiology

Suleman Aktaa  1   2   3 , Amr Abdin  4 , Elena Arbelo  5   6   7 , Haran Burri  8 , Kevin Vernooy  9 , Carina Blomström-Lundqvist  10 , Giuseppe Boriani  11 , Pascal Defaye  12 , Jean-Claude Deharo  13   14 , Inga Drossart  15 , Dan Foldager  16 , Michael R Gold  17 , Jens Brock Johansen  18 , Francisco Leyva  19   20 , Cecilia Linde  21   22 , Yoav Michowitz  23 , Mads Brix Kronborg  24   25 , David Slotwiner  26 , Torkel Steen  27 , José Maria Tolosana  5   6 , Stylianos Tzeis  28 , Niraj Varma  29 , Michael Glikson  23 , Jens Cosedis Nielsen  24   25 , Chris P Gale  1   2   3
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European Society of Cardiology Quality Indicators for the care and outcomes of cardiac pacing: developed by the Working Group for Cardiac Pacing Quality Indicators in collaboration with the European Heart Rhythm Association of the European Society of Cardiology

Suleman Aktaa et al. Europace. .

Abstract

Aims: To develop a suite of quality indicators (QIs) for the evaluation of the care and outcomes for adults undergoing cardiac pacing.

Methods and results: Under the auspice of the Clinical Practice Guideline Quality Indicator Committee of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), the Working Group for cardiac pacing QIs was formed. The Group comprised Task Force members of the 2021 ESC Clinical Practice Guidelines on Cardiac Pacing and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy, members of the European Heart Rhythm Association, international cardiac device experts, and patient representatives. We followed the ESC methodology for QI development, which involved (i) the identification of the key domains of care by constructing a conceptual framework of the management of patients receiving cardiac pacing, (ii) the development of candidate QIs by conducting a systematic review of the literature, (iii) the selection of the final set of QIs using a modified-Delphi method, and (iv) the evaluation of the feasibility of the developed QIs. Four domains of care were identified: (i) structural framework, (ii) patient assessment, (iii) pacing strategy, and (iv) clinical outcomes. In total, seven main and four secondary QIs were selected across these domains and were embedded within the 2021 ESC Guidelines on Cardiac Pacing and Cardiac Resynchronization therapy.

Conclusion: By way of a standardized process, 11 QIs for cardiac pacing were developed. These indicators may be used to quantify adherence to guideline-recommended clinical practice and have the potential to improve the care and outcomes of patients receiving cardiac pacemakers.

Keywords: Cardiac pacemaker; Clinical practice guidelines; Quality indicators.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Conceptual framework of cardiac pacing patient journey.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Domains of cardiac pacing care, with the corresponding QIs for each domain. Abx, antibiotics; AVB, atrioventricular block; CRT, cardiac resynchronization therapy; ECG, electrocardiogram; EHRA, European Heart Rhythm Association; ESC, European Society of Cardiology; FBC, full blood count; F/U, follow-up; HFrEF, heart failure with reduced ejection fraction; LVSF, left ventricle systolic function; TTE, transthoracic echocardiography.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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