Published in:
01-11-2017 | Heart Failure (HJ Eisen, Section Editor)
Device Management in Heart Failure
Authors:
Brett G. Angel, Heath Saltzman, Luke S. Kusmirek
Published in:
Current Cardiology Reports
|
Issue 11/2017
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Abstract
Purpose of Review
Medical devices have become an integral part of comprehensive heart failure management. Not all heart failure patients, however, accrue benefit from every new device, and even with extensive practice guidelines, this remains an evolving field.
Recent Findings
The addition of implantable devices, like internal cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), and novel pacing technologies, including cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), have helped to compliment goal-directed medical therapy and positively impact prognosis in multiple high-quality clinical trials. This review attempts to summarize the rapidly evolving literature with respect to existing device guidelines for routine implantable devices as well as some available and future technologies that are not yet a part of routine guidelines.
Summary
ICD, CRT, and other implantable devices continue to save lives, decrease hospitalizations, and evolve the management of patients with heart failure beyond the capabilities of optimal guideline-directed medical therapy alone.