A transcatheter interatrial shunt device provides sustained clinical benefit in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) according to researchers at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2016.

HFpEF, can lead to lung congestion and difficulty breathing during simple daily activities.  To date, the medicines that have been shown to be effective for treating other types of heart failure have relatively little effect in HFpEF. As such, there is no drug or device known to improve mortality or hospitalization risk for these patients.

The "REDUCe Elevated Left Atrial Pressure in Patients with Heart Failure" (REDUCE LAP-HF) study assesses the first therapeutic device designed to address the primary cause of heart failure symptoms.  Sixty-four patients (average age 69) had the device implanted.

The transcatheter interatrial shunt device (IASD) facilitates continuous and dynamic decompression of the left atrium by creating a small communication between the upper chambers of the heart.

At six months, researchers noted that implantation of an interatrial shunt was feasible, seems to be safe, reduces left atrial pressure during exercise, and could be a new strategy for managing HFpEF.

Now at 12 months, results confirm the device appears to safe and effective. Patients reported fewer symptoms, improved quality of life and improved exercise capacity at six and 12 months, researchers said.