St Jude Medical study shows survival benefits of Merlin monitoring system

St Jude Medical has announced positive data from a new clinical study of its Merlin remote monitoring system.

Data presented during a late breaking clinical trial session during the Heart Rhythm 2014 conference revealed an association between adherence to remote monitoring with Merlin and a reduction in mortality rates among pacemaker and defibrillator patients.

Among the more than 260,000 patients implanted with either pacemakers or defibrillators, those with high adherence to remote monitoring experienced 2.4 times the likelihood of survival than patients who were not using Merlin.

Typically, patients with implanted cardiac devices are required to visit doctors' offices several times per year to have their device performance checked, which can often be impractical.

Dr Mark Carlson, chief medical officer for St Jude Medical, said: "This new research demonstrates that the Merlin Patient Care System not only adds convenience for physicians and patients, it helps patients to live longer."

This was one many devices St Jude Medical showcased during Heart Rhythm 2014, with its Nanostim leadless pacemaker also having new clinical evidence discussed.