HEART RHYTHM TEST COULD CUT DEVICE IMPLANTS BY ONE-THIRD, STUDY SUGGESTS

Nearly one-third of patients suffering from ischemic cardiomyopathy, or congestive heart failure (CHF), may not benefit from implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). But a simple heart rhythm test could identify which patients truly need the devices.

If the majority of ICD candidates took the microvolt T-wave alternans (MTWA) test, nearly one-third could avoid ICD implantation without increasing their risk of sudden death, according to a study published in the Jan. 2 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

The MTWA test measures T-wave alternans, which are "beat-to-beat" variations in a patient's electrocardiogram (ECG). When visible on an ECG, these variations are associated with life-threatening arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats). But the variations can often not be seen by the naked eye on a standard ECG. The MTWA test measures those variations at the level of a microvolt (1 millionth of a volt).

The findings also mean the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services could avoid paying the added $90,000 lifetime cost per device for patients who may not need the treatment, the study noted.