Comparing Rate Response With CLS Versus Accelerometer ICD Settings in Heart Failure Patients With BIOTRONIK CRT-Ds

Dr. Jonathan Hsu and Dr. Eric Adler are conducting a research study to find out more about how implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) settings can be adjusted to improve patient cardiovascular health and quality of life. Patients are being asked to participate in this study if they have a history of heart failure and have or are scheduled to be implanted with a BIOTRONIK ICD that is capable of closed loop stimulation (CLS). CLS is a device setting that works with the cardiovascular system to optimize their heart rate during physical activity. This study is comparing BIOTRONIK's CLS setting to a standard accelerometer setting, which also is able to adjust the heart rate by movement sensors, when necessary. This study has been initiated by Dr. Hsu and Dr. Adler and is financially supported by BIOTRONIK, Inc. There will be approximately 15 participants in this trial.

This study is a prospective, randomized, single-blind crossover study intended to enroll patients who are implanted or are scheduled to be implanted with a Biotronik CLS and accelerometer capable CRT-D device. Patients will serve as their own control group with regard to modes of rate-adaptive pacing. Patients with a previously implanted Biotronik CRT-D device with CLS-capability will be recruited from health care institutions in San Diego and all dedicated functional testing will be performed at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). The goal enrollment target for analysis will be 15 patients, with up to 20 patients enrolled to allow for withdrawals. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether changes to an implanted ICD can improve the functional status of patients with suspected chronotropic incompetence (CI). CI is a condition in which the heart rate is unable to adequately respond to meet the patient's physical demands, such as walking, climbing stairs, or doing household chores. CI is common in patients with cardiovascular disease, particularly in patients with heart failure. Common clinical management of patients with suspected CI is to activate an accelerometer setting in the cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator (CRT-D) device. An accelerometer will adjust the heart rate to fit the physiological circumstances and needs of the patient based on patient movement only. BIOTRONIK is a company that has developed a novel technology included in the settings for CRT-D devices that offers CLS as an alternative to a standard accelerometer. CLS utilizes sensed electrical properties of the heart in order to assess what may be the best heart rate for both physical and mental demands. This study is designed to compare whether patients will benefit from CLS when compared with standard accelerometer technology.