URMC Receives $27 Million in Funding for Study on Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators and Heart Failure

The University of Rochester Medical Center has received $27 million in research funding for a six-year study on implantable cardioverter defibrillators and their impact on the health outcomes of heart failure patients. This grant is one of the largest the health system has received in the past decade.

The goal of the study is to determine if advancements in medical therapy can reduce the need for these devices in individuals living with heart failure. Dr. Ilan Goldenberg, director of the Clinical Cardiovascular Research Center and lead investigator of the study, stated that current analysis indicates that at least 50% of patients who receive an ICD do not benefit from it in terms of improved survival.

The study will involve over 3,000 patients at 115 sites across the United States and Canada. URMC aims to use the results of this research to improve care for heart failure patients and potentially reduce the use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators in those who may not benefit from them. This study has the potential to have a significant impact on healthcare practices worldwide and improve outcomes for individuals living with heart failure.