Clinical Data Collection to Develop Improved Arrhythmia and Heart Failure Management Using BIOMONITOR
\[Plain language\]: Heart failure (HF) patients often experience irregular heartbeats, known as arrhythmias. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common among HF patients and can worsen their condition, leading to strokes and higher death rates. Most of what we know about arrhythmias in HF comes from patients with devices like ICDs or CRTs, which help manage heart rhythms. However, this study focuses on HF patients who don't qualify for these devices. Researchers use the BIOMONITOR IV, a device that tracks heart activity remotely over a long period. The goal is to understand how often arrhythmias occur in these patients and to develop a predictive algorithm for worsening HF (WHF). This algorithm could help doctors intervene early and improve treatment, reducing hospital visits and deaths related to WHF. To make the BIOMONITOR IV more effective for HF management, its firmware is updated to collect additional data, such as fluid levels, breathing rate, and body position. These factors may be important for predicting WHF events.
• Patient has diagnosed heart failure for ≥90 days and current symptoms compatible with NYHA class II-III (according to most recent assessment)
• At least ONE of the following:
⁃ At least one documented admission with a primary diagnosis of worsening heart failure within last 12 months prior to enrollment;
⁃ OR Unscheduled outpatient visit with increase of oral loop diuretics (more than 2-fold) or IV diuretic or ultrafiltration therapy for acute WHF within last 6 months prior to enrollment;
⁃ OR elevated NT-proBNP/BNP values within last 3 months prior to enrollment i.e.:
⁃ If LVEF \>50% --\> Patients in SR: \>450 / \>150 pg/ml; Patients with AF present: \>900 / \>300 pg/ml
• Ability to understand the nature of the study
• Willingness to provide written informed consent
• Ability and willingness to perform follow-up visits at the study site and via phone
• Ability and willingness to use the CardioMessenger and acceptance of the BIOTRONIK Home Monitoring concept