Biotronik's home monitor cuts unintended ICD shocks by 52%

Biotronik says its ICD home monitoring device reduces unnecessary shocks by 52%--courtesy of Biotronik

Biotronik is touting positive data for its Home Monitoring device, reporting that its tech, designed to keep tabs on ICD patients, reduces inappropriate shocks by 52% compared to traditional in-office follow-ups.

The company studied 433 patients from 43 sites throughout France, with 221 using its remote monitoring device and the remainder checking in with physicians every 6 months. Over two years, the total number of delivered shocks in the home-monitoring group was 71% lower than in the control group, and the inopportune ones happened 52% less often. The home monitors also helped patients' ICDs retain battery life, as the study found a 76% reduction in the number of capacitor charges.

The results, published in the European Heart Journal, demonstrate that Biotronik's technology improves patient quality of life and simplifies treatment, company President Christoph Böhmer said.

"By conducting landmark trials like (this), we are providing definitive answers to questions and challenges physicians face in their practices," Böhmer said in a statement. "In addition, we are making significant contributions to the field of cardiac rhythm therapy research."

Much like everyone else in the cardiac world, Biotronik has had to deal with declining sales of ICDs and CRT-Ds, but the company has expanded its vascular offerings--seeking FDA approval for its self-expanding Pulsar-18 stent--and has ramped up its patient-monitoring offerings.

- check out the study results
- read Biotronik's statement