On Demand: When HF and Arrhythmias Collide: Rethinking Monitoring, Risk and Device Decisions-Webinar Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This webinar, led by Dr. John Rogers, explored the overlap between heart failure and arrhythmias and why long-term rhythm monitoring may change care. The presentation reviewed established uses of implantable cardiac monitors, such as unexplained syncope, cryptogenic stroke, suspected atrial fibrillation, and known AF management, emphasizing that short-term monitoring often misses clinically important arrhythmias.<br /><br />The central focus was new evidence from the ALLEVIATE-HF study, which followed 711 heart failure patients across the full ejection fraction spectrum. Continuous monitoring found arrhythmias in 77% of patients within two years, including atrial fibrillation in 65% (23% newly diagnosed), bradycardia or pauses in 42%, and ventricular arrhythmias in 12%. Many of these findings led to real treatment changes: anticoagulation, ablation, cardioversion, pacemaker or defibrillator implantation, and antiarrhythmic therapy. Dr. Rogers stressed that arrhythmias in heart failure are often silent and can drive hospitalization, stroke, and sudden death.<br /><br />He also discussed the importance of defibrillators in reduced ejection fraction heart failure and presented emerging research on pacing strategies for preserved ejection fraction heart failure, including the ongoing ELEVATE-HF trial.<br /><br />A key takeaway was that heart failure patients should be viewed as arrhythmia patients too, and that continuous monitoring beyond 30 days may uncover actionable risk that improves outcomes.

Keywords

heart failure

arrhythmias

long-term rhythm monitoring

implantable cardiac monitors

atrial fibrillation

continuous monitoring

ALLEVIATE-HF study

ventricular arrhythmias

pacemaker defibrillator

ejection fraction