Two patient trials have linked Medtronic’s AdaptivCRT algorithm to a reduction in atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes, as well as higher levels of patient activity.
AF
The AdaptivCRT algorithm adjusts the way the implanted device paces the heart according to minute-to-minute evaluations of each patient’s heart rhythm. Results from the clinical trials show that AdaptivCRT increases cardiac resynchronisation (CRT) therapy response rate and improves clinical outcomes for patients with normal atrioventricular conduction (AV).
The first study, which included 210 patients with AdaptiveCRT On, showed a significant reduction in the incidence of atrial fibrillation episodes compared to patients with conventional cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT).
The second study showed AdaptivCRT was significantly and independently associated with a higher daily activity level for patients with the On feature compared to those with conventional CRT.
Additional analyses showed that the algorithm reduces patients’ odds of a 30-day heart failure readmission, and reduced their risk of atrial fibrillation.
The studies were conducted across 26 centres in Italy, with results unveiled at the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) Scientific Sessions 2018 in Barcelona, Spain.
Professor Alessandro Proclemer medical director of University Hospital Santa Maria della Misericordia, Udine, Italy, said: “Atrial fibrillation is a common comorbidity among patients with heart failure. Progression of AF is linked to an increased risk of stroke and death, so it is encouraging to see additional clinical data that again links AdaptivCRT with a reduction in the incidence of AF in these patients."
Saverio Lacopino medical director of Maria Cecilia Hospital in Cotignola, Italy, said: “This finding is important since heart failure patients with low activity levels are more likely to be hospitalised, or even die. We want our patients to be as active as possible, given the seriousness of their heart condition.”
CRT is an established treatment for some heart failure patients that use an implantable defibrillator or pacemaker to improve the pumping efficiency of the heart.
Kweli P. Thompson, vice president and general manager of the Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy business, part of the Cardiac Rhythm and Heart Failure division at Medtronic, said: “The AdaptivCRT feature continues to perform consistently in a variety of settings - the rigour of a randomised, controlled trial, as well as in real-world settings - and is associated with a significantly reduced risk of AF.”