Boston Scientific (BSX) recently announced the results from a sub-analysis of the MADIT-CRT trial data, whereby women experienced a greater benefit from the use of cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-Ds) than men. Women undergoing the CRT therapy experienced a 70% reduction in heart failure events as compared with a 35% reduction experienced in men. There was a 72% reduction in all-cause mortality in case of women with asymptomatic or mild heart failure.
The trial results are considered to be a remarkable achievement, since in the past this defibrillator therapy was underutilized in women compared to men with the same level of heart disease. Boston Scientific thus aims at reducing the disparity in the treatment of heart diseases by providing equal access to high-quality cardiovascular care to both men and women alike.
Boston Scientific’s CRT-Ds are used to treat severe heart failure by improving the heart’s pumping ability. Women are more susceptible to non-ischemic heart diseases than men. These diseases affect the whole heart rather than a specific region leading to decrease in pumping strength, abnormal heart rhythms and interruptions in the heart’s electrical system. On the other hand, men suffer more from coronary artery disease, an ischemic heart disease, which have a localized impact on the heart.
MADIT-CRT is the world’s largest randomized CRT-D study of the New York Heart Association’s (NYHA) Class I and II patients. The study involves more than 1,800 patients worldwide. Earlier, Boston Scientific presented the final results from the MADIT-CRT trial, which demonstrated that by employing the CRT therapy there was a 41% reduction approximately in the risk associated with heart failure as compared with the use of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy.
Boston Scientific expects the MADIT-CRT trial to add about $250 million to US sales over the next several years and $400-500 million worldwide.
Boston Scientific has also applied for the expansion of its CRT-D indication to include high-risk patients with left bundle branch block. In this condition, the heart’s pumping ability is reduced by delay in the electrical activation of the heart’s left ventricle. It is currently under review with the US Food and Drug Administration.
Boston Scientific manufactures medical devices and products for use in a broad range of interventional medical specialties. The company faces significant competition across its product portfolio. Primary competitors are Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Medtronic Inc. (MDT), Abbott Laboratories (ABT) and St. Jude Medical Inc. (STJ).
Presently, we have a ‘Neutral’ recommendation on Boston Scientific.
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