17 March 2017 - People with heart failure are set to benefit from longer-lasting battery technology in implantable heart rhythm devices, following guidance from NICE.

The longer lasting battery means patients need fewer operations to replace it, which is more convenient for them and saves the NHS money.

The guidance supports the use of ENDURALIFE-powered cardiac resynchronisation therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D) devices (Boston Scientific) for patients with a type of heart failure that affects the ability of the left chamber of the heart – the ventricle – to pump enough oxygenated blood around the body.

A CRT-D is a small battery powered device that is put into the upper chest below the left shoulder. Leads from the device go through a vein into the heart to control the rate (pace) of the heartbeat. They continually monitor for an irregular heartbeat, and deliver a small electric shock to return the heartbeat to its normal rhythm (defibrillate) if necessary.

Read NICE press release