Resynchronization therapy for the management of heart failure.
Biventricular pacing offers real benefit to some patients with HF, but several questions remain unanswered. One is which patients will benefit the most from this technology. Although there are some indications, the ideal patient group has yet to be identified. The best electrical configuration for pacing and the best pacing site have not been identified for all patients. Another question is whether resynchronization will improve mortality rates. A final question is the cost-effectiveness of this therapy. Studies in progress may answer some of these questions. Meanwhile, this intervention offers hope for improved quality of life and perhaps survival in this high-risk patient population.
Leeper
Barbara
B
Cardiovascular Services, Baylor University Medical Center, 3200 Gaston Avenue, Dallas, TX 75246, USA. bobbil@baylorhealth.edu
Legge
Darlene
D
D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D018579:Patient Selection; D011379:Prognosis; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology