Heart Contractility Measurement Helps Adjust CRT Treatment

An innovative sensor technology improves responder rates for heart failure patients through the regular automatic optimization of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

The SonR technology consists of a peak endocardial acceleration (PEA) sensor embedded in the tip of a pacing lead, which is implanted together with a CRT device. The sensor measures real-time cardiac contractility, hemodynamic data that the CRT device then utilizes to optimize regularly the therapy delivered. Optimal CRT settings can be determined during standard pacemaker checks, which dramatically simplifies patient follow-up. According to the results of the clinical evaluation of advanced resynchronization (CLEAR) study, a prospective, multicenter, randomized, single-blind study which included 156 patients enrolled in 51 centers in 8 countries, regular optimization of CRT patients using the SonR sensor technology improves clinical response rate to 86% as compared to 62%. The SonR sensor is a development of the Sorin Group (Milan, Italy), and is integrated into several of the companies CRT devices.

"The results of the CLEAR study are very encouraging as they demonstrate regular automatic optimization significantly increases the responder rate of HF patients by improving hemodynamic performance,” said principal investigator Philippe Ritter, M.D., of the University of Bordeaux (France). "The SonR system is capable of automatically optimizing CRT pacing intervals regularly and has the potential of reducing time-consuming ECHO procedures associated with CRT optimization.”

"The CLEAR study results demonstrate that regular optimization of CRT with our innovative SonR technology improves patient outcomes,” added Stefano Di Lullo, president of the Sorin Group cardiac rhythm management (CRM) business unit. "This is a giant step forward in improving heart failure patient care and a reflection of our commitment to innovation in the hemodynamic management of heart failure patients.”

Currently, manual programming of CRT settings can be guided using echocardiography, but ECHO optimization is not applied for all patients, since it is a time-consuming and nonstandardized procedure. Moreover, patient status can change over time due to many factors, including modifications of drug regimen, life-style changes, and modification of heart dimension. It is therefore crucial to re-assess and re-adjust the CRT settings on a regular basis.

Related Links:
Sorin Group
University of Bordeaux