Boston Scientific has announced the start of the MODULAR ATP clinical trial to evaluate the safety, performance and effectiveness of the mCRM modular therapy system. The mCRM system consists of two cardiac rhythm management (CRM) devices intended to work together to coordinate therapy: the Emblem MRI subcutaneous implantable defibrillator (S-ICD) system and the Empower modular pacing system (MPS), which is designed to be the first leadless pacemaker capable of delivering both bradycardia pacing support and anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP), according to Boston Scientific.
The S-ICD system is a treatment option for the prevention of sudden cardiac death and, because it provides protection without touching the heart or substernal space, eliminates many of the complications associated with leads placed in those locations. Recent data from the PRAETORIAN trial comparing the S-ICD to transvenous implantable cardioverter defibrillators (TV-ICDs) indicated that the S-ICD can be the preferred therapy choice for the majority of ICD-indicated patients without a need for pacing. Patients who may benefit from receiving an S-ICD system are often implanted with a TV-ICD due to the possibility of a future need for bradycardia pacing or ATP—the latter of which is a therapy designed to terminate episodes of fast, abnormal heart rates.
The Empower MPS, which consists of a leadless pacemaker and delivery catheter, is designed to complement the S-ICD System by providing a modular option for patients who develop ATP needs in the future, potentially expanding the patient population that can benefit from S-ICD therapy.
“Since the EMPOWER MPS device can be delivered percutaneously via a minimally invasive approach without the use of leads, the mCRM System could preserve many of the benefits of the S-ICD system while offering an option for patients who subsequently develop a pacing requirement,” said Kenneth Stein, the senior vice president and chief medical officer of Rhythm Management and Global Health Policy, Boston Scientific. “The components of the system are designed to work in concert with each other, regardless of when implanted, giving physicians the ability to provide personalised patient care today while keeping options open in the future.”
The prospective, non-randomised MODULAR ATP clinical trial will enroll at up to 50 centres in the USA, Canada and Europe up to 300 patients who are guideline-indicated for an ICD or who already have an Emblem or Emblem MRI S-ICD system implanted. The trial will evaluate the system and procedure-related complication-free rate of the Empower MPS, the communication success between the Empower MPS and the S-ICD system and adequate pacing capture thresholds of the Empower MPS.
Preclinical data presented as late-breaking basic science at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2021 (AHA 2021; 13–15 November; virtual) detailed the performance of the mCRM system at up to 18 months.
