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CRM Product News

May 2008

CRM Product News is a monthly publication to create awareness regarding current product performance topics and to highlight new information included in the quarterly CRM Product Performance Report (PPR). Topical summaries and links to comprehensive source information are listed below.

Now Available: Q2 2008 CRM Product Performance Report

Boston Scientific Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) announces availability of the Q2 2008 CRM Product Performance Report, continuing its commitment to frequent publishing of detailed product performance information. This comprehensive report includes device survival probability, malfunction details, product advisory and reference information. Data in this report are current as of April 11, 2008.


ALTRUA™ family of pacemakers receives FDA approval

The ALTRUA portfolio is Boston Scientific's most advanced pacemaker family, representing the first Boston Scientific-branded pacemakers engineered through Aurora, Boston Scientific CRM's continuous improvement program. The ALTRUA family of pacemakers provides physicians diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities to tailor therapy to specific patient needs. Key features include:

  • The ALTRUA 60 series includes an enhanced AV Search Hysteresis algorithm, now with an extendable AV delay out to 400 milliseconds, which is designed to reduce unnecessary RV pacing without dropping ventricular beats.
  • Stored Onset EGMs without sacrificing battery longevity provide a more complete picture to more accurately and efficiently diagnose arrhythmias.1
  • MV Blended Sensor (ALTRUA 60 and 40 series) is the industry's only sensor that has been shown to restore chronotropic competence, enabling a patient's heart rate to function appropriately in different situations like carrying a bag of groceries or climbing stairs.2

    COGNIS™ CRT-D and TELIGEN™ ICD receive FDA approval

    The COGNIS cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) and TELIGEN implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) form an entirely new platform to treat heart failure and sudden cardiac death. Cognis and Teligen are the result of a multi-year research and development effort resulting in enhanced clinical options for patients. These devices are among world's smallest (32.5cc and 31.5cc respectively) and thinnest (9.9mm) high-energy devices. Extended longevity, self-correcting software, and an improved programming interface provide enhanced clinical options for physicians and their patients. Key features include:

  • COGNIS CRT-D offers SmartDelay™ to quickly propose individual sensed and paced AV delays for patients and Electronic Repositioning™ to provide up to six LV pacing configurations which may allow physician to program around extracardiac stimulation or elevated LV pacing thresholds.
  • TELIGEN ICD offers AV Search + with AV Delay programming options up to 400ms and Quick Convert™ to deliver ATP within the VF zone for ventricular arrhythmias less than 250 bpm.

    ACUITY® Spiral left ventricular lead receives FDA approval

    The ACUITY Spiral lead is the company's fifth generation left ventricular lead used in the treatment of heart failure. The product features a spiral fixation design and small lead tip profile (4.1 French tapering to 2.6 French) for placement in veins of varying sizes, including difficult-to-access veins.

    Now available online: Reference Guide to defibrillators, pacemakers and leads

    Boston Scientific's reference guide to ICD's, CRT-Ds, CRT-Ps, pacemakers and leads includes technical details for most industry products. This book includes basic product specifications including X-ray identifier, connector type and polarity, wrench sizes, magnet response rates, and replacement indicators. Access the reference guide online at bostonscientific.com

    New Educational Materials

    A Closer Look articles provide educational/training information on a variety of topics to better understand the function of Boston Scientific CRM products. The following articles are now available:

  • Evaluating Pacemaker Battery Status
  • Model 3120 ZOOM® LATITUDE® Programmer Maintenance (update)
  • ICD and CRT-D Elective Replacement Indicators (update includes CONFIENT ICDs and LIVIAN CRT-Ds)



    1Provides up to 31 events/110 seconds of dual channel EGM storage with minimal (<.5%) longevity impact.
    2Chronotropic competence is defined by the Model of the Cardiac Chronotropic Response to Exercise, Wilkoff et al. A mathematical model of the cardiac chronotropic response to exercise. Journal of Electrophysiology 1989:3: 176-180.


    Published May 29, 2008