In patients with heart failure, worsening of congestive symptoms often leads to hospitalization. Early detection of changes in hemodynamic status could be useful to help guide treatment. The CHAMPION trial evaluated a wireless implantable hemodynamic monitoring system, which measured pulmonary artery pressure, in 550 patients with NYHA class III heart failure and previous heart failure hospitalization. All patients had the electronic hemodynamic monitoring device surgically implanted, and were then randomized to management using the wireless monitor vs. standard care. In the standard care group, the monitor signal was blocked. Patients in both groups were asked to take their own blood pressure readings daily to maintain blinding. Data from the pressure monitor were reviewed weekly or more often after changes in treatment. Mean follow-up was 15 months. Heart failure-related hospitalizations were significantly reduced in the monitoring group at 6 months (31% vs. 44%, p < 0.0001, NNT 8) and during the entire follow-up period (57% vs. 90%, p < 0.0001, NNT 4) (level 1 [likely reliable] evidence). There were no significant differences in device or system-related complications or non-heart failure hospitalizations (Lancet 2011 Feb 9 early online).
For more information, see the Implanted cardiac devices for heart failure topic in DynaMed.
DynaMed Weekly Update - Volume 6, Issue 7