Unregulated online sales of cardiac implantable electronic devices in the United States: A six-month assessment

Bolanle Akinyele, Joseph E. Marine, Charles Love, Thomas C. Crawford, Jonathan Chrispin, Stephen C. Vlay, David D. Spragg, Kim A. Eagle, Ronald D. Berger, Hugh Calkins, Gordon F. Tomaselli, Sunil K. Sinha

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: An estimated 1 million patients require cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) but go without annually. This disparity exists in low-to-middle-income nations largely owing to the cost of CIED hardware. Humanitarian reuse of CIEDs has been shown to be safe and feasible. However, recent publications have raised concern that promotion of CIED reuse may foster a CIED “black market,” to the dismay of manufacturers, regulators, and clinicians alike. Objective: To determine if unregulated CIED sales for potential human use is a real issue by investigating unregulated public online CIED sale listings in the United States of America. Methods: An observational study was undertaken over 6 months using multiple internet search engines from May 1 to November 1, 2019. We cataloged usable CIEDs (still in packaging, manufactured <7 years) and pricing. Manufacturers were contacted to determine status of sellers and unregulated CIEDs using model/serial numbers. Results: In total, 58 CIEDs—47 implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and 11 permanent pacemakers—from 4 manufacturers were listed for sale on 3 websites. During the study period, 8 of 11 pacemakers and 37 of 47 implantable cardioverter-defibrillators were sold (price range: $100–$1500 [US dollars]). No new listings were seen in the last 3 months of observation, possibly owing to concomitant industry investigation. Conclusion: There does exist a public online market for unregulated CIED sales in the United States. This specific market seems to be small and unlikely to significantly expand with active monitoring by manufacturers and regulators.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)235-238
Number of pages4
JournalHeart Rhythm O2
Volume1
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2020

Keywords

  • Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED)
  • Defibrillator re-use
  • Global disparities
  • Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
  • Pacemaker
  • Pacemaker re-use

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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