Medtronic releases Virtual ICD study data

Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) released the Virtual ICD study data today that predicted 98 percent of studied implantable defibrillator patients would be free of inappropriate shocks one year after implant and 92 percent at five years post-implant. The Virtual ICD study used a statistical model that predicts that six advanced shock-reduction algorithms for implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-Ds) can reduce inappropriate shocks experienced by patients. The results were significant. The findings were released during Heart Rhythm 2010, the Heart Rhythm Society's 31st Annual Scientific Sessions.

“This evidence demonstrates that these advanced shock-reduction technologies could help physicians dramatically reduce inappropriate shocks.”

"Among implanting physicians, shock reduction is a top priority," said Kent Volosin, M.D., cardiologist at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. "This evidence demonstrates that these advanced shock-reduction technologies could help physicians dramatically reduce inappropriate shocks."

ICDs and CRT-Ds are designed to provide painless pacing or life-saving shock therapy to stop fast or irregular heart beats, also known as ventricular arrhythmias, which can lead to sudden cardiac death. Sudden cardiac death kills more people each year than lung cancer, breast cancer and HIV/AIDS combined. Medtronic estimates that more than 70,000 lives have been saved by implantable defibrillators during the last five years. While the majority of lifesaving shocks are appropriate, studies estimate that approximately 20 percent of patients with implantable defibrillators may experience inappropriate shocks within 2.5 years in response to a non-lethal arrhythmia or electrical noise within the device system.

Data outlining the need for advanced shock reduction technology to reduce inappropriate shocks will be released Saturday, May 15, at Heart Rhythm 2010. Data on the impact of inappropriate shocks on health care utilization and the adoption rate of device programming strategies aimed at reducing shocks also will be released. These are among seven Medtronic abstracts released this week on shock reduction.