FDA OKs Medtronic's fluid-monitoring HF (heart failure) device:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
The US FDA has approved Medtronic's InSync Sentry cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) defibrillator system, the first CRT device that can automatically alert clinicians to changes in fluid accumulation in the lungs and thoracic cavity. Most hospital admissions for heart failure (HF) are due to fluid accumulation in the thorax, which often goes undetected until the patient is critically ill. Such patients can require urgent treatment in hospital, posing a tremendous cost burden to healthcare systems. The InSync Sentry provides an early warning of worsening symptoms before hospitalisation is critical, allowing physicians to adjust patient treatment proactively. It monitors fluid status using a feature called OptiVol, which measures changes in intra-thoracic impedance, an indication of changing fluid volume. The device was released in Europe earlier this year and will be launched in the US early next year.