St. Jude Medical Launches SyncAV CRT Technology in Japan and on the World Market - Provides New Alternatives for Patients Not Responding to Traditional CRT

SyncAV™ CRT technology provides further advantages to support physicians seeking new treatment options for heart failure patients

Tokyo Japan-- St. Jude Medical Japan Co. Ltd., a global medical device company, today announced the launch of SyncAV^™ CRT software, designed to further optimize St. Jude Medical’s comprehensive cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) portfolio. The SyncAV CRT software algorithm is designed to function independently to address and effectively treat heart failure patients, some of whom are not responsive to other pacing options.

The St. Jude Medical SyncAV technology, which automatically adjusts pacing based on real-time changes in a patient’s cardiac condition, also provides physicians the opportunity to further improve treatment of patients who have responded positively to traditional CRT. By allowing physicians to activate SyncAV CRT independently, the software provides physicians additional options to individually optimize CRT settings for their heart failure patients, many of whom have resynchronization needs that can vary widely depending on their disease. SyncAV™ technology is compatible with existing Quadra Assura CRT-D and Allure Quadra CRT-P which have already been MRI conditional.

“We have made great improvements in how we are managing heart failure patients, but certain patients still do not get the desired outcomes from traditional CRT. The new SyncAV CRT algorithm individualizes programming to treat patients with the right settings at the right time to offer the best possible outcome for even our most complex patients,” said Dr. Takeshi MITSUHASHI, Saitama Medical Center Jichi Medical University, Saitama, Japan. “This technology offers patients who are not responding to therapy additional options for treatment with the goal of ultimately improving outcomes.”

For patients suffering from heart failure, CRT technology resynchronizes the lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart by sending uniquely programmed electrical impulses to stimulate each ventricle to beat in sync to offer improved cardiac performance. St. Jude Medical has introduced innovative solutions to enhance its CRT product portfolio to improve the care of the approximately 23 million people worldwide afflicted with congestive heart failure. While studies have shown that CRT can improve outcomes and the quality of life  for many patients with heart failure, some patients do not respond optimally to traditional CRT, leaving physicians with limited options to improve their clinical outcomes for their patients. The latest heart failure offerings by St. Jude Medical will provide physicians and patients additional options that can help maximize the therapeutic effects of CRT.

“St. Jude Medical remains dedicated to continued leadership in heart failure management, helping physicians to manage some of their most complex patients. SyncAV CRT technology is another important advance that can help physicians manage their patients,” said Dr. Mark Carlson, vice president of global clinical affairs and chief medical officer at St. Jude Medical.

Source: St. Jude Medical