Medtronic has presented the landmark RAFT (Resynchronization/Defibrillation for Ambulatory Heart Failure Trial) clinical trial results demonstrating the efficacy of company's cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillators (CRT-Ds) on heart failure patients.

As per the study, the CRT-Ds have reduced mortality for mildly symptomatic heart failure patients (New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II) by 29% when compared to patients treated with guideline-recommended implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) and medical therapy.

Medtronic said that the RAFT data also demonstrated a reduction (27%) in combined mortality and heart failure hospitalisations.

Medtronic senior vice president and Cardiac Rhythm Disease Management business president Pat Mackin said that the Medtronic-supported research is the first to show the lifesaving value of CRT-D for mildly symptomatic heart failure patients and builds upon the growing body of evidence calling for guideline changes.

The use of Medtronic CRT devices for mildly symptomatic heart failure patients (NYHA Class II) is investigational and not an approved use in the US.