[Clinical case of the month. Biventricular stimulation, a new adjuvant therapy in the treatment of congestive heart failure].
The pharmacological treatment of congestive heart failure has improved its morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, many patients remain disabled in spite of optimal treatment. The availability of alternative therapies such as heart transplantation or cardiomyoplasty is limited. Newer devices are awaited. Biventricular pacing is a potential option to improve the homogeneity of contraction and the overall mechanical performance without myocardial oxygen consumption increase. This approach has proved acute hemodynamic and functional benefits but has to demonstrate a favourable influence on long term morbidity and mortality.
Lenom
V
V
CHR de la Citadelle Liège.
Materne
P
P
Hoffer
E
E
Désiron
Q
Q
Waucquez
J L
JL
Boland
J
J
D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000628:therapy*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D016276:Ventricular Function