Biotronik Launches New Line of CRT Devices

Biotronik SE & Co. Kg has launched a new series of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices with several functionalities that allow physicians to offer an all-inclusive and individualized solution for optimized CRT.
 
“Biotronik’s new CRT-Ds are equipped with numerous features that address physicians’ concerns about cardiac resynchronization therapy,” said Dr. Christof Kolb of the German Heart Center in Munich, Germany. “The energy-efficient MultiPole Pacing has great potential to increase patients’ response to CRT and to sustain this in the long-term.”
 
Biotronik’s Ilivia series of CRT-Ds is specifically designed to address the 30 percent to 40 percent non-response rate to CRT¹ without causing disproportionate additional battery drain. The energy-efficient system features MultiPole Pacing for sequential or simultaneous pacing in the left ventricle (LV) that is individually programmable for an increased response rate. To further improve therapy success, this is complemented by a portfolio of LV leads for different patient anatomies and target veins, including a newly launched Sentus QP lead with alternative pole-spacing for short to medium veins.
 
Since CRT patients are likely to require a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan during their healthcare journey, the Ilivia CRT-D offers ProMRI and is equipped with Biotronik’s MRI AutoDetect feature, which enables the device to automatically recognize an MRI environment within a programmable time window, and switch itself to and from MRI mode. This simplifies the process of MRI scans for both patients and physicians and decreases the duration of reduced therapy, offering increased patient safety.
 
“The launch of our latest generation of CRT-Ds and LV leads marks a significant expansion of our CRT portfolio,” said Manuel Ortega, senior vice president at Biotronik. “With a complete CRT solution, we want to empower physicians to offer a superior solution for heart patients that covers the entire duration of therapy and post-implantation care.”
 
The Ilivia series marks Biotronik’s newest generation of CRT-Ds and ICDs. For improved management of CRT response, the CRT-Ds take advantage of energy-efficient MultiPole Pacing technology for sequential or simultaneous pacing along the left ventricular lead. A further programmable option enables the use of Biotronik’s DX technology in CRT, delivering atrial sensing in patients not receiving an atrial lead. Ilivia CRT-Ds offer ProMRI and include the company’s MRI AutoDetect and Biotronik Home Monitoring solutions for long-term patient care.
 
Biotronik is based in Berlin, Germany, and has a global workforce of more than 5,600 employees. Its U.S. headquarters is located in Lake Oswego, Ore.
 
Reference:
1. Mullens W et al. JACC. 2009, 53(9).