German medical technology company Biotronik has launched its Inventra HF-T implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in the US.
The device has been designed as a cardiac resynchronisation therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) to deliver ultra-high-energy measuring 42 joules (J) on the first shock to heart failure patients.
An ICD is considered necessary for patients suffering from tachycardia (fast arrhythmias) which converts dangerous arrhythmias to a normal heart rhythm by triggering shocks to the heart.
Jersey Shore University Medical Center electrophysiologist Dr Mark Mascarenhas said: "For an increasing number of patients specifically those with larger cardiac anatomy and lower ejection fraction a shock that is higher than the standard 36-37 J may be needed to convert irregular arrhythmia.
"The sooner an effective shock can be delivered, the likelihood of survival increases for these patients.
“For such patients, a CRT-D that delivers ultra-high energy on the first shock has a higher chance of converting the irregular arrhythmia.
"With the availability of Inventra HF-T, more heart failure patients will be able to receive 42J energy delivered upon the first shock and, hence, receive life-saving therapy."
The new device is part of the Inventra 7 CRT-D series featuring Biotronik Home Monitoring, ProMRI, CLS, 45 J ultra-high energy and quadripolar LV pacing enabling multiple left-ventricular pacing and sensing configurations for CRT management, thereby offering a powerful therapy for patients at risk of high defibrillation thresholds (DFTs).
Image: Biotronik’s Inventra HF-T CRT device. Photo: courtesy of Biotronik.
