A new cardiac resynchronisation therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) has been launched in Europe that enables doctors to optimise pacing and deal non-invasively with complications.

The Promote Quadra CRT-D from St Jude Medical is the industry's first quadripolar pacing system, allowing more effective management of the pacing needs of patients with heart failure.

The system includes the Quartet left ventricular pacing lead, which has four pacing electrodes - enabling up to 10 pacing configurations. This allows the clinician to optimise both location and configuration, and to non-invasively adjust both features according to patient needs.

CRT improves the quality of life for many patients with chronic heart failure. However, common pacing complications in patients implanted with a CRT system include high pacing thresholds and unintended stimulation of the phrenic nerve or diaphragm. Both complications have often required the pacing lead to be repositioned surgically.

"The Promote Quadra CRT-D gives me a greater number of less-invasive methods for managing my heart failure patients using CRT and reduces my patients' risk of needing multiple surgical procedures," said German cardiac specialist Dr. Wolfgang Kranig. "Because of the benefits this quadripolar technology offers without any significant trade-offs, it should be considered a new standard of care for CRT."

"The launch of our Promote Quadra system means that physicians no longer need to make a trade-off between positioning the lead in the most stable location and positioning the electrodes in the best pacing location," said Eric S. Fain, M.D., President of the St. Jude Medical Cardiac Rhythm Management Division.

"This launch of the industry's first quadripolar pacing system is representative of our strong pipeline of technologies that address the most important clinical needs of patients with heart failure."

St Jude Medical is based in Minnesota, USA.