Synchronized diaphragmatic stimulation for the treatment of HFrEF-a review

The gap between maximally tolerated medical therapy and consideration for permanent mechanical circulatory support and/or cardiac transplant or palliative treatment of moderate to severe heart failure represents an underserved patient population. New therapies are evolving which may not only improve quality of life for these patients but also improve hemodynamics and potentially reverse the progression of the disease. This review is focused on one such therapy, synchronized diaphragmatic stimulation. Current clinical results suggest that patients experience improved exercise tolerance, quality of life, and hemodynamic function over 6-12 months of therapy which can be safely implemented through a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure, often as an outpatient. This technology has been granted breakthrough device designation and is being evaluated for a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial by the US FDA.