Heart failure patients with implant-based remote monitoring die less frequently from any cause, according to Biotronik study results released at the European Society of Cardiology congress in Amsterdam.
The In-Time worldwide study showed a 3.4% mortality rate for heart failure patients with implant-based remote monitoring for severely depressed left ventricular function in the New York Heart Association Class II or Class III, compared with an 8.7% mortality rate in patients with standard care, Biotronik said.
"The occurrence of atrial or ventricular arrhythmias or specific trends in certain clinical parameters can often be the first sign of worsening heart failure that leads to hospitalization or death," study coordinating investigator Dr. Gerhard Hindricks said in prepared remarks.
"Biotronik home monitoring allows physicians to facilitate early detection of clinically relevant events or crucial trends in cardiac device patients. They then have enough notice to intervene in time, thereby preventing serious or even fatal events and effectively supporting the management of heart failure patients," Hindricks said.
The remote device rapidly detects a patient’s deteriorating clinical signs and automatically transmits data on a daily basis, according to the Berlin-based company. Early detection of clinically relevant events, especially asymptomatic atrial fibrillation, allows physicians to adapt patient therapy at a very early stage.
"The latest additions in the ESC guidelines indicate that home monitoring will play an even more important role in the future," international president Christoph Böhmer added. "The European Society of Cardiology recommends device based telemonitoring for early detection of critical events in cardiac patients. Biotronik home monitoring is particularly well suited to serving the heart failure patient population."