CONTAK RENEWAL® 3 AVT® Cardiac Resynchronization Defibrillator

Product Name: CONTAK RENEWAL® 3 AVT® Cardiac Resynchronization Defibrillator (CRT-D), Models M150, M155, M157, and M159
PMA Applicant:Guidant Corporation, a Boston Scientific Company
Address: 4100 Hamline Ave North , St. Paul, MN 55112
Approval Date: March 13, 2008
Approval Letter: In PDF Format

What is it? The CONTAK RENEWAL® 3 AVT CRT-D® is an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) that also delivers cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and atrial therapies.

How does it work? The CONTAK RENEWAL® 3 AVT CRT-D® consists of an implantable pulse generator (IPG), made up of a battery and electronic circuitry connected to three independent leads (insulated wires). The IPG is usually implanted below the collarbone, just beneath the skin. The leads are placed in three different areas:

• One in an upper heart chamber (the right atrium)
• A second lead in a lower heart chamber (the right ventricle), and
• A third lead in a vein that overlies the left ventricle.

When the device is functioning as an ICD, it senses dangerous abnormal heart rhythms and shocks the heart back into a normal rhythm. The CRT portion of the device uses small electrical impulses to coordinate the beating of the left and right ventricles so that they work together more effectively to pump blood throughout the body. The atrial therapy portion of the device detects and treats rapid heart rates in the atrium with antitachycardia pacing or shock therapy.

When is it used? CONTAK RENEWAL® 3 AVT® is used in certain patients who have:

• symptoms of advanced heart failure despite taking heart failure medication, and
• a heart rhythm problem (arrhythmia) that may cause the lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart to beat in an uncoordinated manner
• and may have a history of or may develop heart rhythm problems in the upper chambers (atria) of the heart.

CONTAK RENEWAL® 3 AVT® CRT-Ds are indicated for patients with moderated to severe heart failure (NYHA III/IV) who remain symptomatic despite stable, optimal heart failure drug therapy, and have left ventricular dysfunction (EF /= 120 ms.

CONTAK RENEWAL® 3 AVT® provides atrial antitachycardia pacing and atrial defibrillation treatment for patients with a history of, or who are at risk of developing atrial arrhythmias.

What will it accomplish? CONTAK RENEWAL® 3 AVT® will deliver:

• CRT to help coordinate the beating of the heart, and
• A life-saving shock to attempt to return the heart to normal heart rhythm.

Together, these two therapies may reduce the combined risk of death or first hospitalization as well as the risk of death alone. It may also relieve some of the symptoms associated with heart failure, including shortness of breath and fatigue during exercise, which may result in a better quality of life.

CONTAK RENEWAL® 3 AVT® will also deliver:

• Atrial antitachycardia pacing and atrial defibrillation to terminate atrial arrhythmias.

When should it not be used? There is no contraindication for this device.

Additional information: The Summary of Safety and Effectiveness and labeling is available at FDA.

tag: Medical Devices, Medical Devices approvals, Defibrillator, CONTAK RENEWAL, Guidant Corporation,