[Effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on exercise tolerance, functional capacity and quality of life in patients with congestive heart failure].
This review article summarizes the effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on exercise tolerance, functional capacity and quality of life, as it has been shown in previous randomized controlled trials. Based on these data we carefully have to reconsider the initial goals of this therapy. An early prophylactic implantation is not justified today. Especially patient selection has to be performed with more care in the future using new methods for detection of cardiac asynchrony to avoid a mismatch between implant numbers and real functional benefit.
Butter
C
C
Herzzentrum Brandenburg in Bernau (b. Berlin), Ev. Freikirchliches Krankenhaus Bernau, Abteilung für Kardiologie, Ladeburger Str. 17, 16321 Bernau, Germany. c.butter@immanuel.de
D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome