Follow-up protocol
A home monitoring system (LATITUDETM NXT) was offered
to all patients after device implantation. Patients were discharged on
the second post-procedural day, as per standard ICD discharging practice
in our country. As per our center outpatient clinic protocol, all
patients were seen for an in-person standard device interrogation
1-month after discharge and every 6 months thereafter. At each follow-up
visits, a clinical evaluation was performed, and patients were screened
for appropriate/inappropriate shocks, infections, lead displacement and
other adverse events. Complications were defined as device related
events requiring medical or surgical intervention for resolution and/or
device reprogramming.