Abstract
Introduction The reuse of cardiac implantable electronic devices may
help increase access to these therapies in low- and middle-income
countries (LMICs). No published data exist regarding the views of
patients and family members in LMICs regarding this practice. Methods
and Results A paper questionnaire eliciting attitudes regarding
pacemaker reuse was administered to ambulatory adult patients and
patients’ family members at outpatient clinics at Centro Nacional
Cardiologia in Managua, Nicaragua, Indus Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan,
Hospital Carlos Andrade Marín and Hospital Eugenio Espejo in Quito,
Ecuador, and American University of Beirut Medical Center in Beirut,
Lebanon. There were 945 responses (Nicaragua – 100; Pakistan – 493;
Ecuador – 252; Lebanon – 100). A majority of respondents agreed or
strongly agreed that they would be willing to accept a reused pacemaker
if risks were similar to a new device (707, 75%), if there were a
higher risk of device failure compared to a new device (584, 70%), or
if there were a higher risk of infection compared to a new device (458,
56%). A large majority would be willing to donate their own pacemaker
at the time of their death (884, 96%) or the device of a family member
(805, 93%). Respondents who were unable to afford a new device were
more likely to be willing to accept a reused device (79% vs. 63%,
P<0.001). Conclusions Patients and their family members
support the concept of pacemaker reuse for patients who cannot afford
new devices.