Atrial Shunting for Heart Failure

Abstract

Despite a plethora of pharmacological therapies for heart failure (HF), reducing the symptomatic burden in patients with advanced HF remains an unmet clinical need. Over the past decade, atrial shunting has emerged as a novel therapy for those with symptomatic HF despite optimal guideline-directed medical therapy. Initially thought of as a therapy reserved for those with diastolic HF, the field now spans the entire HF spectrum. In this review, we explore the physiology, devices, and trials that have shaped the field of atrial shunting. We detail how device-based interatrial shunts, no-implant interatrial shunts, and coronary sinus shunts aim to provide clinical benefit in specific patient populations and the limitations associated with their use.