Implantable cardiac monitor in heart failure: just a toy or a useful tool?

Abstract

The use of implantable cardiac monitors (ICMs) has gradually entered clinical practice in various fields. In addition to the consolidated indications in the study of syncope, cryptogenic stroke and in the management of patients with arrhythmias (suspected or defined), today a possible role for these devices in patients with heart failure (HF) is emerging. The rationale for the use of these devices in HF can be identified in three key areas: (i) identification of silent atrial fibrillation and reduction of the risk of stroke, (ii) stratification of the risk of brady-tachy arrhythmias and consequent reduction of the risk of sudden death, and (iii) identification of patients at risk of imminent exacerbation of HF and their early management with reduction of hospitalizations and episodes of clinical deterioration. For each of these areas, there are conflicting data regarding the real usefulness of ICMs; however, it is reasonable to hypothesize that the use of these devices, under certain conditions, may be useful in patients with HF. The adequate selection of patients to be candidates for this strategy is important. The choice of tools and the availability of an organization that allows the possibility of managing these patients remotely also play an essential role. In any case, case-control studies are needed to establish whether this tool can be truly useful in HF.