A pager-sized, implantable device being tested at Saint Thomas Hospital and dozens of other sites around the country can correct irregular heartbeats and transmit information over the Internet to a patient's physician about possible problems.

Dr. Mark Aaron, medical director of heart transplants at Saint Thomas Hospital, explained that the Chronicle ICD delivers a shock to the heart if it begins to beat dangerously fast, restoring normal function. It also continuously records heart rate and pressure inside the heart.

Patients send the recorded data to their physician once a week, by scanning the device with an antenna that transmits the information through a standard phone line to a secure Web site the doctor can view.


The Chronicle ICD is the first heart-failure device that can monitor pressure in the right side of the heart and transmit that information over the Internet, Aaron said.

"This is important information for doctors to have because heart pressure correlates with symptoms of heart failure and prognosis of heart failure.

"It's no longer enough to wait until patients develop symptoms of worsening heart failure. Patients and physicians need technology, like Chronicle ICD, that has the potential to provide an early and accurate indication of deterioration in heart-failure status, thereby allowing clinicians to take appropriate preventative measures."

Barbara Stacy, 62, of Oak Ridge is one of three people who have had the device implanted at Saint Thomas. The hospital is seeking 37 more people to enroll in its study.

Stacy said she decided to participate because she had a heart attack in January and hopes this will prevent her from having another one.

"It's comforting to me that they're monitoring how I'm doing. If there's a problem, they would let me know.

"It gives me confidence that everything is going to be OK. If something goes wrong, it's going to shock me really bad and get me going again."

Aaron said the operation to implant the device takes about an hour. He noted that the health risks are the same as for any other implant of this kind. Possible side effects include infection and bruising.

Altering medication or diet can typically solve heart-pressure abnormalities, Aaron said.

The study, sponsored by Medtronic, the company that manufactures the device, is expected to involve 850 patients at 75 places nationwide. So far, Saint Thomas is the only site in Tennessee. For more information about the study, call Saint Thomas' Heart Failure Clinic at 222-3945.

Aaron said adults who have experienced mild to moderate heart failure might be eligible to participate. Heart failure occurs when the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.

The American Heart Association estimates 5 million Americans have heart failure. Aaron estimates 500,000 of them could benefit from the Chronicle ICD.

If clinical trials are successful and the device gets U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval, Aaron estimates it will be on the market in three or four years.

"We are hoping it will help reduce hospitalizations, improve quality of life and exercise capability."

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