Medtronic CRT-D Indication Expanded to Treat Mild Heart Failure

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in April 2012 approved an expanded indication for Medtronic’s cardiac resynchronization therapy with implantable cardioverter defibrillator (CRT-D) devices. With the approval, this advanced therapy can now be used earlier, in a mildly symptomatic heart failure patient population, potentially improving survival, reducing hospitalizations and preventing disease progression.

The FDA’s decision for the expanded indication rests on data from the pivotal REVERSE (REsynchronization reVErses Remodeling in Systolic left vEntricular dysfunction) and landmark RAFT (Resynchronization/Defibrillation in Ambulatory Heart Failure Trial) clinical trials, which showed that CRT-D can benefit mildly symptomatic heart failure patients by reducing mortality and heart failure hospitalization rates.

While certain NYHA Class II patients are already indicated for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to protect them from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), they are still vulnerable to experiencing an exacerbation of their heart failure. In fact, SCA is responsible for more than 60 percent of deaths among patients with mild-to-moderate heart failure. However, a growing body of clinical research suggests that earlier intervention with CRT-D can decrease the risk of morbidity and mortality in this mildly symptomatic patient population. CRT-D therapy works by resynchronizing the contractions of both ventricles by sending tiny electrical impulses to the heart muscles, which improves the heart’s blood-pumping ability. The device also has defibrillation capability, allowing for termination of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.

For more information:  www.medtronic.com