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ECG Belt vs. Echocardiographic Optimization of CRT

Optimization of New CRT Recipients: Subjects Randomized to ECG Belt or Echocardiographic Optimization

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03305692
Enrollment
3
Registered
2017-10-10
Start date
2017-10-31
Completion date
2021-08-17
Last updated
2021-09-27

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Heart Failure, Systolic

Keywords

cardiac resynchronization therapy, pacing, echocardiography, optimization, heart failure

Brief summary

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been a valuable intervention for patients with systolic heart failure for over 15 years. Despite years of research, there is a still a 25-40% non-responder rate depending on the outcomes measured. CRT optimization is a term used to describe the act of individualizing the therapy (CRT programming) for an individual patient. This is not often performed, but when it is, echocardiography is utilized. Recent work of body surface mapping using a novel system called the ECG Belt has shown a relationship between measures of electrical dyssynchrony and acute and chronic heart pumping function. This study will compare outcomes of patients randomized to either echocardiographic or ECG Belt optimization of CRT devices.

Detailed description

This is a prospective randomized study designed to determine whether cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device programming guided by the ECG Belt (Medtronic, PLC) improves echocardiographic and functional outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients. The population will include patients treated with CRT for standard indications (not implanted for the sole purposes of this study). The study will focus enrollment on patients who do not have baseline characteristics predicting the best CRT response. Therefore the study will not enroll patients having non-ischemic HF etiology, left bundle branch (LBBB) morphology, and QRSd \> 150 ms or those previously RV paced.

Interventions

Use a body surface mapping system to quantify electrical dyssynchrony or echocardiography to quantify diastolic blood flow characteristics. Program the pacemaker to maximize the benefit of the modality the subject is randomized to.

Sponsors

Medtronic
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Alan J. Bank, MD
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

Individual analyzing echocardiograms (primary outcome) will not know randomization of the subject.

Intervention model description

1:1 randomization

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 110 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Willing and able to provide informed consent for participation in the study * Age ≥18 years * Received a first-time CRT device for standard clinical indication (can be upgraded from non-CRT pacemaker or defibrillator if ventricular pacing \< 10%) * Adequate echocardiographic images for EF & LVESV determination

Exclusion criteria

* Unhealed open wounds on the torso and/or a history of documented severe allergic reactions from ECG electrode gel * Enrollment in a concurrent study that could confound the results of this study * Pregnant or could become pregnant within the 6 month follow-up period * Non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, LBBB morphology, and QRSd \> 150 ms * Dysrhythmia (AF or PVCs) that will likely result in aggregate ventricular pacing \< 90% over the 6 month follow-up period

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Echocardiographic assessment of LV function6 months post optimizationChange in ejection fraction
Echocardiographic assessment of LV size6 months post optimizationChange in left ventricular end-systolic volume

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026