Thousands of British Columbians live with a cardiac implantable electronic device: a cardiac pacemaker, implantable cardio defibrillator or cardiac resynchronization therapy device. These devices monitor and regulate abnormal heart rhythms. After implantation, patients require ongoing device surveillance, as well as battery changes every five to seven years. While every health authority has a hospital-based device clinic, visits can be difficult for patients, especially those traveling from rural or remote locations.

In 2014/15, BC's cardiac centres performed the following cardiac procedures, funded by Cardiac Services BC:

• 2110 electrophysiology procedures (diagnostic electrophysiology study and cardiac ablation)
• 996 implantable cardiac rhythm devices

We monitor multiple aspects of heart disease and health system statistics in BC, including wait times and patient outcomes for these procedures.