Current attitudes on cardiac devices in heart failure: a review

Abstract

Purpose: Despite significant advances in optimizing drug therapy, heart failure-related mortality and morbidity remain high. There has been great progression with regard to device therapy in heart failure, and device use continues to increase. The aims of this review were to critically re-examine the evidence base and to highlight recent refinements in device therapy in heart failure.

Methods: Significant contemporary clinical trials and registries of device therapy in heart failure were examined and critically reviewed to draw conclusions on the clinical applications of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, cardiac resynchronization therapy, remote monitoring of devices, and hemodynamic monitoring.

Findings: Advances regarding patient selection, technology, and implementation for the use of devices in heart failure have significantly improved outcomes.

Implications: This review article provides a contemporary guide to the current attitudes toward the use of devices in heart failure. Device therapy is an important adjuvant to optimal pharmacologic therapy. The role of devices continues to increase, and devices have a positive impact on patients' quality of life and survival.

Keywords: cardiac device; cardiac resynchronization therapy; device monitoring; heart failure; hemodynamic monitoring; implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.