The Christ Hospital First to Offer New Device to Predict Heart Failure

Breakthrough could reduce hospital visits and readmissions

The Christ Hospital Health Network performed the first implant in the nation of a breakthrough heart monitoring device that uses sensors to alert physicians weeks in advance of a patient's potential heart failure.

Developed by Boston Scientific and validated by clinical trials, HeartLogic Diagnostic is the first and only heart failure implantable device that provides a median of 34 days advance notice of an impending heart failure exacerbation in 70 percent of patients. A combination of five sensors evaluating heart sounds, heart rate, respiration rate and more provides information to physicians through monitors located in the patient's home and in the doctor's office.

"This is a major shift in proactive heart failure management," said Daniel J. Pelchovitz, MD, a heart rhythm specialist with The Christ Hospital Health Network who implanted the first Resonate implantable cardioverter defibrillatior equipped with the HeartLogic Diagnostic in a patient in late October. "Through subtle abnormalities in sounds the heart makes, respiration rates and other indications we can now detect - often weeks in advance - the warning signs that can lead to heart failure. So by using this device, we can prevent heart failure, a lengthy hospital stay, and even sudden death."

The HeartLogic Diagnostic is part of Boston Scientific's Resonate family of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) systems. Use of the new devices was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September.

“The HeartLogic Diagnostic provides physicians the ability to pivot from reactive heart failure treatment to proactive care with a goal of improving patient outcomes and reducing heart failure-related hospitalizations,” Kenneth Stein, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer, Rhythm Management and Global Health Policy, Boston Scientific, said in a statement announcing FDA approval of the device. “We believe the new features included in this family of devices offer physicians an unprecedented level of confidence when caring for patients with heart failure.”

Implanting a defibrillator with the HeartLogic Diagnostic takes about an hour. Patients are given moderate sedation, similar to colonoscopy, and doctors make an incision of about three centimeters in the chest. Using X-ray guidance, up to three wires are inserted into the heart through the patient's veins.

"Patients stay just one night in the hospital," Dr. Pelchovitz said. “We may even be able to reduce further hospitalizations based on the data we obtain from the monitor. This can have a profound impact on quality of life.”

The Resonate implantable cardioverter-defibrillatior also utilizes a state-of-the-art battery that lasts up to 16 years and provides physicians with an unparalleled ability to tailor device settings according to individual patient needs, without fear of adversely draining the battery and causing unnecessary replacement procedures.

"One of the biggest risks of implantable devices is changing the battery," Dr. Pelchovitz said. "That's when we have the biggest risk of infection. This device reduces the number of change-out procedures and significantly reduces the chances of infection."

Dr. Pelchovitz said The Christ Hospital's reputation as the region's Heart Hospital makes revolutionary medical procedures and devices available to local patients.

"We do a number of first-in-the-country procedures at The Christ Hospital, and we are typically involved in clinical trials that bring new devices and procedures to patients," he said. "That's because we have very experienced and knowledgeable physicians who are the very best at what they do."

To learn more about the heart services at The Christ Hospital, visit TheChristHospital.com /heart or call 513-585-1000 to find a physician.

About The Christ Hospital Health Network: The Christ Hospital Health Network is an acute care hospital located in Mt. Auburn with six ambulatory centers and dozens of offices conveniently located throughout the region. More than 1,200 talented physicians and 5,800 dedicated employees support the Network. Its mission is to improve the health of the community and to create patient value by providing exceptional outcomes, the finest experiences, all in an affordable way. The Network has been recognized by Forbes Magazine as the 24th best large employer in the nation in the magazine’s “America’s 500 Best Large Employers” listing and by National Consumer Research as the region’s “Most Preferred Hospital” for 21 consecutive years. The Network is dedicated to transforming care by delivering integrated, personalized healthcare through its comprehensive, multi-specialty physician network. The Christ Hospital is among only six percent of hospitals in the nation to be awarded “Magnet” recognition for nursing excellence and among the top five percent of hospitals in the country for patient satisfaction. For more than 125 years, The Christ Hospital has provided compassionate care to those it serves.