Long-Term Results Show Wireless Device is Effective for Heart Failure Patients

A new study proves the safety of a wireless pacing system, WiSE-CRT (Wireless Stimulation Endocardially for cardiac resynchronization therapy) two years after implantation. The study is the first to report on the medium-long term feasibility of the leadless pacing system for heart failure patients and was presented today at Heart Rhythm 2017, the Heart Rhythm Society’s 38^th Annual Scientific Sessions in Chicago, Ill..
 
Approximately 26 million people worldwide are living with heart failure.¹ Successful CRT therapy can help reduce heart failure symptoms, hospitalizations, and mortality by synchronizing the left and right ventricles. Although traditional CRT systems are widely used in patients, approximately 30 percent of patients—and as high as 40 percent to 50 percent in some studies—do not respond to this conventional therapy.² There are leads in conventional CRT systems and that can increase the risk of infection due to a physical connection from the heart to externalized (outside the blood stream) components and the restricted choice of electrode site can result in failure for patients to benefit.
 
WiSE-CRT is currently the only wireless, endocardial (inside the heart) pacing system for stimulating the heart’s left ventricle (LV). The implant is roughly the size of a large grain of rice and uses ultrasound technology to transfer energy from a subcutaneous pulse generator to a receiver-electrode implanted on the LV endocardial wall.
 
The multicenter study was conducted in various locations across Europe, including the United Kingdom, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Denmark. Researchers enrolled a total of 33 patients that underwent implantation. Prior to the study, all patients experienced progressive heart failure with no response to conventional CRT treatment therapy.
 
LV capture was possible in all cases throughout the study. The average mega joule (mJ) required for electrical capture was 0.38, 0.36, 0.33, 0.37, 0.19 and 0.25 at one week, one month, two months, six months, one year and two years, respectively. The two-year threshold trend was found to be similar to those for conventional pacing system.
 
“The results are very encouraging because it’s the first time we are seeing the long-term outcome of this wireless pacing system and was demonstrated to be safe and feasible for heart failure devices,” said lead author, Simon James, MRCP, an electrophysiologist at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, United Kingdom. “By eliminating the challenges that come with leads seen in a conventional pacing system, this novel device provides a new treatment alternative that has the potential to improve the patient’s overall quality of life.”

Study authors note that there is interest to further test the long-term efficacy with WiSE-CRTand review the results on a larger number of patients. There is currently a clinical trial taking place to test the safety and effectiveness of the device specifically in the United States.
 
Heart Rhythm 2017 is the most comprehensive educational program for heart rhythm professionals, featuring more than 250 educational sessions and more than 130 exhibitors showcasing innovative products and services. The Heart Rhythm Society’s Annual Scientific Sessions have become the must-attend event of the year, allowing the exchange of new vital ideas and information among colleagues from every corner of the globe.
 
The Heart Rhythm Society is the international leader in science, education and advocacy for cardiac arrhythmia professionals and patients, and the primary information resource on heart rhythm disorders. Its mission is to improve the care of patients by promoting research, education and optimal health care policies and standards. Incorporated in 1979 and based in Washington, D.C., it has a membership of more than 5,900 heart rhythm professionals in more than 70 countries around the world.

References:
1. Ponikowski, Piotr, Stefan D. Anker, Khalid F. AlHabib, Martin R. Cowie, Thomas Force, Shengshou Hu, Tiny Jaarsma, Henry Krum, Vishal Rastogi, Luis E. Rohde, Umesh C. Samal, Hiroaki Shimokawa, Bambang Budi Siswanto, Karen Silwa, and Gerasimon Filippatos. “Heart Failure: Preventing Disease and Death Worldwide.” (n.d.): n. pag. 15 May 2014. Web.
2. Jaffe, Leeor M., MD, and Daniel P. Morin, MD. “Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: History, Present Status, and Future Directions.” The Ochsner Journal (2014): 596-607. Web.