Medtronic, Inc., the leader in implantable cardiac device therapies and related follow-up solutions, announced that it has begun the distribution of the Medtronic Paceart System, 2004 First Edition to help clinics that specialize in heart rhythm disorders improve the electronic organization of cardiac device and patient heart rate data.

The new release significantly expands the accessibility of data managed within Paceart by providing an electronic interface between the Paceart system and a broad array of healthcare information systems (HIS). The new export module uses XML and PDF standards for data transmission and formatting, which enables broad compatibility with and access from other systems. The 2004 First Edition reflects Paceart's continued commitment to be the leading universal clinic solution for collecting and managing patient and device data from remote and in-clinic data acquisition and device management systems.

"As more people receive implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, cardiac resynchronization therapy devices and pacemakers to treat heart disorders, it is increasingly necessary for clinics to efficiently manage information about their patients and the valuable data extracted from their devices," said Donald L. Deyo, general manager of Medtronic Paceart. "The new HIS export capability extends Paceart's data acquisition and management functionality by making the information broadly available to meet the demands of today's healthcare environment."

In addition to the HIS export capability, the 2004 First Edition software incorporates several additional new features, including: enhanced HIPAA tools for additional patient data security; data import support for more devices, including the Vitatron C-Series pacemaker and additional Biotronik pacemakers; collection of data at the time of device implant to help provide continuity of care for patients with a new device; and automated event recorder transmission processing, which provides improved clinician productivity and efficiency.
Medtronic plans to introduce updated editions of the Paceart system twice a year in an effort to continually help clinicians improve the management of patients with implantable cardiac devices. More than 900 cardiology and electrophysiology clinics use the Paceart system to provide ongoing management of patients with heart rhythm problems.