Review Articles

Devices for Autonomic Regulation Therapy in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction

Wagner, Benjamin R. MD^*; Frishman, William H. MD^†

From the ^*Department of Internal Medicine, Michigan Medicine/University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; and ^†Department of Medicine, New York Medical College/Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY.

Disclosure: The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.

Correspondence: William H. Frishman, MD, Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595. E-mail: [email protected].

Cardiology in Review 26(1):p 43-49, January/February 2018. | DOI: 10.1097/CRD.0000000000000171

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and an increasing economic burden. The persistence of HF’s risk factors, coupled with an aging population, also leads to an increase in its incidence and prevalence. It is well established that sympathetic hyperactivity and parasympathetic withdrawal are instrumental in the development and worsening of HF. Therefore, restoring autonomic balance to the cardiovascular system is an attractive therapeutic approach. The following is a review of current clinical trials of device-based autonomic regulation therapy in the management of HF with a reduced ejection fraction.