A Closer Look
SUMMARY
Patients with an implanted heart
device such as a pacemaker or
defibrillator may have questions
about traveling with their device.
Information for the Traveling Pacemaker
or Defibrillator Patient
Preparing for Travel
Before traveling away from home, talk with your heart doctor and ask:
What should I do if I have a medical emergency?
Who should I call if I receive a shock from my device?
Do you want to see me in the clinic before I leave?
This article provides heart patients
with valuable travel-related
information.
®
Additional considerations if you use a LATITUDE Patient Management System:
Products Referenced
All Boston Scientific ICDs, CRT-Ds,
CRT-Ps, S-ICDs, Pacing Systems, and the
LATITUDE® Patient Management System
Should I continue with scheduled remote follow-up sessions while away?
Will my LATITUDE Communicator work in the country where I am
going?
LATITUDE Communicators were designed for use in your home
country. However, some versions may work in other countries.
Please contact Boston Scientific Patient Services at the number
in this article to find out if your Communicator will work at your
destination. Contact your doctor or LATITUDE-following clinic to
determine if any adjustments (for example, time zones and
follow-up schedules) need to be made before you go.
If traveling to another country, a different style of telephone
connector and power supply plug may be needed.
Will my Communicator work in my hotel?
Call your hotel to find out if they have analog data ports, usually used to
connect a computer or fax machine, in the rooms. Some hotels use
digital PBX phone lines, which will not work with your Communicator.
[Note that if you have a cellular phone plan with your LATITUDE NXT
Communicator, you will not need a data port.]
Pack your LATITUDE Communicator in carry-on luggage. If you use a blood
pressure monitor and/or weight scale, you may pack them in your checked
luggage.
Products referenced herein may not be approved in
all geographies. For comprehensive information on
device operation, reference the full instructions for
use found at: www.bostonscientific.com/cardiacrhythm-resources/international-manuals.html.
CAUTION: Law restricts this device to sale by
or on the order of a physician. Indications,
contraindications, precautions and warnings
can be found with product labeling.
All graphics produced by Boston Scientific
Corporation, unless otherwise noted.
CRT-D:
CRT-P:
ICD:
S-ICD:
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Defibrillator
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Pacemaker
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
Subcutaneous Implantable Defibrillator
Contact Information
Americas
(Caribbean, and Central, North, and South America)
www.bostonscientific.com
Technical Services
LATITUDE® Customer Support
1.800.CARDIAC (227.3422)
+1.651.582.4000
Patient Services
1.866.484.3268
Europe, Middle East, Africa
Technical Services
+32 2 416 7222
[email protected]
At the Airport
When traveling through airport security, have your Medical Device ID Card
available. This card identifies you as a patient with an implanted pacemaker
or defibrillator.
Technical Services
+61 2 8063 8299
[email protected]
[email protected]
Handheld security wands – Some wands contain strong magnets
that may temporarily affect the function of your implanted device. If a
handheld wand must be used, it should be passed over the device
quickly. In general, a hand-search is preferred to wand use.
LATITUDE Customer Support
[email protected]
[email protected] (Japan)
Security archways – Walk through security archways at a normal pace
(do not linger). Pacemakers and defibrillators may trigger airport security
metal detector alarms. However, this will not harm you or your device.
Airport Body Scanners – The Transportation Security Administration
(TSA) currently uses two types of full-body “people scanners” — X-ray
scans and millimeter wave scans. Neither type of scanner should affect
your implanted pacemaker or defibrillator system. Step away from the
scanner if you feel poorly.
LATITUDE Clinician Support
[email protected]
Asia Pacific
© 2013 by Boston Scientific Corporation
or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.
18 June 2013
002-1605, Rev. B, EN
Page 1 of 2
While Away From Home
Emergency Information
Always carry emergency information with you. You should have the information both for local assistance at
your destination as well as your home physician’s contact information. Make this information readily available
to your travel companions. If you are relocating for a longer period of time you may want to request a print-out
from your most recent device interrogation. This will identify device settings and predicted longevity.
LATITUDE Communicator
When you arrive, repeat the setup process following the on-screen instructions. This will verify successful
communication between your implanted heart device, the Communicator, and the weight scale and blood
pressure monitor (if used). This process will also allow you to change the time zone (US only), if necessary.
If you are outside of your home country, contact Boston Scientific Patient Services or your doctor for additional
Communicator setup information.
Questions
For emergencies, you should contact local emergency personnel. For medical-related questions, contact your
heart doctor. Patients with non-medical questions in regard to the device or Communicator are welcome to
call the numbers in the following table.
Location
Question Regarding
Call
United States
and Canada
LATITUDE Communicator
Boston Scientific Patient Services
United States
and Canada
Device
Europe, Middle
East, Africa
LATITUDE Communicator OR
Device
Boston Scientific Technical Services
Asia Pacific
LATITUDE Communicator OR
Device
Boston Scientific Technical Services
1.866.484.3268
Boston Scientific Technical Services
1.800.CARDIAC (227.3422)
+32 2 416 7222
+61 2 8063 8299
SM
NOTE: The BSC CRM patient newsletter, LifeBeat Online lists clinic and hospital locations familiar with Boston
Scientific products nearest to your travel destination. Go to The Traveling Patient section of www.lifebeatonline.com,
and click on the Travel with Your Device section. The clinics and hospitals on this list can help patients with matters
related to their device.
18 June 2013
002-1605, Rev. B, EN
Page 2 of 2
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