DUBLIN and BARCELONA, Spain - March 20, 2018 - Two real-world analyses featuring the Medtronic plc (NYSE: MDT) AdaptivCRT(TM) algorithm reinforce that its use is linked to a reduction in atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes, as well as tied to higher patient activity levels. The results, involving 408 patients with heart failure and a Medtronic cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device at 26 centers in Italy, were unveiled at the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) Scientific Sessions 2018 in Barcelona, Spain.

The first analysis revealed a significant reduction in the incidence of AF episodes of all measured durations (greater than: one hour, six hours, 12 hours, one day and seven days; p=0.017 for episodes lasting longer than six hours) in 210 patients with AdaptivCRT ON compared to 198 patients with conventional CRT.

"Atrial fibrillation is a common comorbidity among patients with heart failure," said Professor Alessandro Proclemer M.D., of University Hospital Santa Maria della Misericordia, Udine, Italy. "Progression of AF is linked to an increased risk of stroke and death, so it is encouraging to see additional clinical data that again links AdaptivCRT with a reduction in the incidence of AF in these patients."

The second analysis showed AdaptivCRT was significantly and independently associated with a higher daily activity level for patients with the feature ON compared to those with conventional CRT (AdaptivCRT ON at 3.1 hours vs. AdaptivCRT OFF at 2.6 hours; p=0.010).

"This finding is important since heart failure patients with low activity levels are more likely to be hospitalized, or even die," said Saverio Iacopino M.D., of Maria Cecilia Hospital in Cotignola, Italy. "We want our patients to be as active as possible, given the seriousness of their heart condition."

Heart failure is a progressive condition, affecting more than 26 million people worldwide. CRT is an established treatment for some heart failure patients that uses an implantable defibrillator (CRT-D) or pacemaker (CRT-P) to improve the pumping efficiency of the heart.

The AdaptivCRT algorithm - first available on Medtronic CRT-Ds in 2013 and CRT-Ps in 2014 - adjusts the way the implanted device paces the heart according to minute-to-minute evaluations of each patient's rhythm. Evidence from the randomized clinical trial demonstrated that AdaptivCRT increases CRT response rate, reduces unnecessary right ventricular pacing, and improves clinical outcomes for patients with normal AV conduction.1-4 Additional analyses showed AdaptivCRT reduces patients' odds of a 30-day heart failure readmission5, and reduced their risk of AF1.

"The AdaptivCRT feature continues to perform consistently in a variety of settings - the rigor of a randomized, controlled trial, as well as in real-world settings - and is associated with a significantly reduced risk of AF," said Kweli P. Thompson, M.D., M.P.H., vice president and general manager of the Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy business, part of the Cardiac Rhythm and Heart Failure division at Medtronic. "Our broad portfolio of cardiac devices helps physicians detect, reduce, respond to and treat AF."

Medtronic is a world leader in the diagnosis, management and treatment of AF. The Medtronic portfolio of therapies, diagnostic tools and services for patients suffering from heart failure includes CRT devices, including MR-conditional CRT-Ds and CRT-Ps; mechanical circulatory support therapy for advanced heart failure patients; heart failure diagnostics; and meaningful expert analysis through Medtronic Care Management Services, including the Beacon Heart Failure Management Service.

In collaboration with leading clinicians, researchers and scientists worldwide, Medtronic offers the broadest range of innovative medical technology for the interventional and surgical treatment of cardiovascular disease and cardiac arrhythmias. The company strives to offer products and services of the highest quality that deliver clinical and economic value to healthcare consumers and providers around the world.

About Medtronic
Medtronic plc (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is among the world's largest medical technology, services and solutions companies - alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for millions of people around the world. Medtronic employs more than 84,000 people worldwide, serving physicians, hospitals and patients in approximately 160 countries. The company is focused on collaborating with stakeholders around the world to take healthcare Further, Together.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

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1 Martin D, et al. Clinical outcomes with adaptive cardiac resynchronization therapy: Long-term outcomes of the Adaptive CRT Trial. HFSA Annual Scientific Meeting. September 23, 2013.
2 Martin D, Lemke B, Birnie D, et al. Investigation of a novel algorithm for synchronized left ventricular pacing and ambulatory optimization of cardiac resynchronization therapy: results of the adaptive CRT trial. Heart Rhythm. 2012; 9(11): 1807-1814.
3 Birnie D, et al. Clinical outcomes with synchronized left-ventricular pacing: analysis of the adaptive CRT trial. Heart Rhythm 2013; 10(9): 1368-1374.
4 Singh JP, Abraham WT, Chung ES, et al. Clinical response with adaptive CRT algorithm compared with CRT with echocardiography-optimized atrioventricular delay: a retrospective analysis of multicentre trials. Europace 2013; 15(11): 1622-1628.
5 Starling RC, Krum H, Bril S, et al. Impact of a Novel Adaptive Optimization Algorithm on 30-Day Readmissions: Evidence From the Adaptive CRT Trial. JACC Heart Fail. July 2015;3(7):565-572.

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