The Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Heart Rhythm Society Comprehensive Guidelines for the Selection, Implantation, and Management of Patients With Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices

Abstract

The Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Heart Rhythm Society cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) guidelines program was developed to aid clinicians in the management of patients with a CIED, as well as to provide direction to policy makers and health care systems regarding issues related to CIEDs. There has never before been a comprehensive Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Heart Rhythm Society guideline to address the management of patients with CIEDs. This guideline is intended to be used by practicing clinicians across all disciplines who care for patients with CIEDs. We used the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) system to grade recommendation strength and the quality of evidence. Areas of focus include bradycardia, syncope, cardiac resynchronization therapy, and conduction system pacing, sudden death prevention, and defibrillator therapy, the role of leadless devices, perioperative considerations and complications, lead extraction, postimplant CIED management, and competency and training standards. Extensive use is made of tables and figures to synthesize important material and present key concepts. This document should be an important aid for knowledge translation and a valuable reference tool to help improve the clinical management of patients who are assessed for possible CIED implantation or to improve decision-making for those who already have CIEDs.

Keywords: arrhythmia; cardiac resynchronization therapy; defibrillator; guidelines; pacemaker; sudden cardiac death; syncope.