Contemporary use of devices in heart failure

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Heart Failure Management

Background:

• Implantable devices are foundational in managing heart failure (HF).
• Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) reduce mortality, and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves HF symptoms and survival.
• Current research primarily focuses on HF with systolic dysfunction, with limited data on HF with preserved systolic function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evolving therapeutic and diagnostic roles of devices in heart failure management.
• To highlight the potential of device-based diagnostics for early detection of HF exacerbations.
• To discuss the development of novel stand-alone diagnostic devices for HF.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of current device therapies and diagnostic capabilities in heart failure.
• Analysis of existing data on device efficacy in different HF phenotypes.
• Exploration of emerging technologies in device-based HF diagnostics.

Main Results:

• Devices like ICDs and CRT significantly impact HF mortality and morbidity.
• Therapeutic device concepts are expanding, particularly for HF with preserved systolic function.
• Devices offer add-on diagnostic capabilities, including early fluid overload detection.
• New stand-alone diagnostic devices for HF are under development.

Conclusions:

• Implantable devices are integral to modern heart failure therapy, offering both treatment and diagnostic benefits.
• Further research is needed to fully understand device utility in HF with preserved systolic function.
• Advancements in device technology promise improved HF monitoring and management through early detection of critical changes.