Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia Detection by Implantable Loop Recording in Patients With Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction

Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia Detection by Implantable Loop Recording in Patients With Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction (VIP-HF)

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) is a large medical problem, for which no drug or device has a recommendation in current heart failure guidelines. Sudden cardiac death is suggested as the most common cause of death in HFPEF patients, although data is sparse. Use of an Implantable Loop Recorder (ILR) may be useful in patients with HFPEF to evaluate the incidence of sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias. If ventricular tachyarrhythmias are seem frequently, treatment with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) may be an option in the future.

Inclusion Criteria:

Clinical criteria:

1. Age >18 years
2. Written informed consent
3. HF with moderate to severe symptoms NYHA II or III
4. Hospitalization or emergency room visit for HF or symptom relief with diuretics within 12 months
5. Sinus rhythm or AF

Echocardiographic criteria:

1. LVEF >40%
2. Left atrial size (volume ≥34 mL/m2 or LA parasternal diameter ≥45), or left ventricular hypertrophy (septal thickness or posterior wall thickness ≥11 mm) or LV diastolic dysfunction (E/e' ≥13 or mean e' septal and lateral wall <9 cm/s).

Biomarker criteria:

1. BNP >100ng/L or NT-pro-BNP>400ng/L if sinus rhythm
2. BNP >300ng/L or NT-pro-BNP>1200ng/L if atrial fibrillation

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients unwilling or unable to sign informed consent
2. Patients with a pacemaker or ICD
3. Indication for ICD therapy according to the ESC guidelines
4. Life expectancy of less than one year
5. Significant coronary artery disease or myocardial infarction < 3 months
6. Complex congenital heart disease
7. Pregnancy