5G Cloud-Enabled Telemedicine for Remote Management of Heart Failure Patients With Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators: A Multicenter Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial
In brief
5G remote device care cuts response time from 11.5 to 4.2 days
In a 206-patient randomized trial, remote 5G follow-up for people with implanted defibrillators shortened the time from a clinical event to intervention from 11.5 days to 4.2 days over 12 months. Quality of life improved more, while unplanned visits and interventions were similar and no procedure-related complications occurred; whether faster responses improve major health outcomes remains unknown.
- Journal
- MedComm (Q1)
- Published
- 29 September 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Pan Li, Fayuan Fu, Yiding Qi, Xianxian Zhao, Yingyi Qin, Xinghua Shan, et al.
- PMID
- 42812899
- DOI
- 10.1002/mco2.71037
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine (paper of the day, 3 October 2026): Shorter response time, improved QoL with 5G remote ICD/CRT‑D management
Abstract
Postoperative follow-up for patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (ICD/CRT-D) is often delayed in remote areas because of geographic barriers and limited healthcare resources, increasing the risk of adverse outcomes. The "Make Changes" study, was a prospective, multicenter, open-label randomized trial evaluating a 5G-cloud technology platform (5G-CTP) for real-time remote device interrogation and reprogramming versus standard In-clinic care. Between October 2022 and February 2024, 206 patients from five centers were randomly assigned to 12 months of follow-up with 5G-CTP (n = 104) or In-clinic care (n = 102). For the primary endpoint of time from clinical event to intervention, the 5G-CTP group had a significantly shorter response time than the In-Clinic group (4.2 vs. 11.5 days; p < 0.001). For secondary endpoints, the 5G-CTP group showed greater improvement in life quality at 12 months based on Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (p = 0.012). Rates of unplanned visits and clinical interventions were similar between groups, with no procedure-related complications. This model integrates community hospitals with implantation centers through 5G networks, enabling timely specialist-directed care locally without long-distance travel. It is a feasible strategy for postoperative ICD/CRT-D management, particularly in underserved regions with limited access to specialized cardiac care.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.