VIDEO: Michael R. Gold, MD, PhD, highlights groundbreaking trials at HRS 2016

SAN FRANCISCO — New data presented at the Heart Rhythm Society Annual Scientific Sessions advance the understanding of catheter ablation and cardiac resynchronization therapy, President-Elect Michael R. Gold, MD, PhD, told Cardiology Today.

Gold, from the Medical University of South Carolina and co-chairperson of the late-breaking clinical trials session, highlights three trials in this video exclusive: VANISH, RESPOND-CRT and the MultiPoint Pacing IDE study.

The randomized VANISH study compared outcomes of patients who underwent catheter ablation or received escalated therapy with amiodarone and also mexiletine if the patient was already receiving at least 300 mg per day of amiodarone. The data “[support] the role of ablation for the reduction of ventricular tachycardia events and more serious cardiac outcomes. It illustrates ... that we probably wait too long before we aggressively treat and ablate” in this patient population,” he said.

Gold also discusses similarities between the RESPOND-CRT and MultiPoint Pacing IDE studies, which were both “neutral” noninferiority studies that did not demonstrate benefit of CRT.

“As good as CRT is, we are still trying to find ways to make it better. There is no one-size-fits-all approach or algorithm. ... We need to understand better how to select patients and how to apply specific therapies selectively so that we can improve outcomes in patients with CRT.”