New Baroreflex Device eases symptoms and improves quality of life in Heart failure patients

New Baroreflex Device eases symptoms and improves quality of life in Heart failure patients, according to a trial reported at the Heart Rhythm Society meeting.

In the first pivotal trial of a device-based neuromodulation therapy in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients, the BeAT-AF study, researchers have found that a novel implanted neuromodulation device substantially improved quality of life and functional capacity in these patients.

Heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is associated with poor life expectancy, frequent heart failure hospitalizations, lower quality of life, and substantial limitation in exercise capacity. The researchers hypothesized that HF symptoms will improve by increasing parasympathetic and decreasing sympathetic activity by using Baroreflex Activation Therapy (BAT).

The Barostim Neo device stimulates the baroreceptor with a 2 mm electrode that sits on the right carotid artery sinus and a lead extending to the generator. Baroreflex stimulation with it also improved the key prognostic biomarker N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in the subset of patients with a baseline level of 1,600 pg/mL or less, reflecting less advanced heart failure.

"To our knowledge, this is the first successful pivotal trial of a device-based neuromodulation therapy in HFrEF patients," Michael Zile, MD, of the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, said when presenting the results at a late-breaking clinical trial session here at the Heart Rhythm Society meeting.

"We think this fills the unmet need for those patients who are class III who cannot or should not receive a CRT [cardiac resynchronization therapy], which we think is about 50% of the heart failure reduced ejection fraction population," Zile concluded at a press conference.

The study as originally designed included 271 patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III HF with ejection fraction of 35% or lower, a 6-minute hall walk distance of 150 to 400 m, elevated NT-proBNP or prior heart failure hospitalization, and on stable optimal medical therapy, but ineligible for CRT.

The prospective two-phase randomized controlled trial (BeAT-HF; included 271 patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III HF with ejection fraction of 35% or lower, a 6-minute hall walk distance of 150 to 400 m, elevated NT-proBNP or prior heart failure hospitalization, and on stable optimal medical therapy, but ineligible for CRT. Data collection also includes recurrent heart failure hospitalizations and cardiovascular mortality for the extended outcome (second) phase of the study (ongoing).

They were randomized to be implanted with the device or continue receiving optimal medical therapy alone and followed for 6 months to the initial unblinding for the primary endpoints. Morbidity and mortality would then be followed in the longer term.

Three of the four efficacy endpoints came out positive for change over baseline: Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire quality-of-life scores, 6-minute walk distance, and safety (94% free from major adverse neurological cardiovascular events, compared with performance criteria of 85%).