Study Shows ICD Helps Heart Failure Patients

A clinical trial study of heart failure patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) has shown that use of the device has resulted in a statistically significant improvement in patients.

The study, called RHYTHM (resynchronization hemodynamic treatment for heart failure management), evaluated the Epic HF ICD of St. Jude Medical, Inc. (St. Paul, MN, USA), which combines pacemaker therapy, defibrillation therapy, and left-heart stimulation to treat heart failure.

The primary efficacy endpoint of the study was improvement in cardiac function as measured by the maximal rate of oxygen consumption (VO2) during cardiopulmonary exercise testing. The observed improvement level for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) compared to the control group was 1.93 ml/kg/min, which was statistically significant. Quality of life was also significantly improved.

"This is a significant prospective, randomized study, which adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the therapeutic effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy as an adjunct to optimal medical therapy for heart failure patients,” said Eric S. Fain, M.D., senior vice president, development and clinical/regulatory affairs, for St. Jude.




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