Quality of life in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronisation therapy.
BACKGROUND
Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) is often recommended for the treatment of patients with severe heart failure and cardiac dyssynchrony. The procedure efficacy should be evaluated not only by objective criteria and clinical end points, but also by patients' subjective opinion of their everyday functioning.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the quality of life (QoL) in patients treated with CRT.


METHODS
The study comprised 26 CRT patients: 18 males and 8 females, aged 63.3+/-9.5 (34-75) years. The QoL was evaluated by NHP questionnaires twice: before CRT implantation and 15+/-4 months (mean) after the procedure.


RESULTS
There was a significant improvement in the mean values of energy (2.9 vs. 2; p <0.01), physical mobility (4.3 vs. 3; p <0.05) and emotional reactions (5.2 vs. 3.7; p <0.05) following CRT. However, some aspects of everyday functioning did not improve after CRT. They included looking after the home (66.7 vs. 66.7%) and sex life (54.2 vs. 70.8%). An improvement was observed in home life (33.3 vs. 20.8%) and social life (61.5 vs. 50%).


CONCLUSIONS
Cardiac resynchronisation therapy improves patients' QoL. The psycho-social condition of CRT patients needs further, larger studies and should be taken into account by attending health professionals.
Wójcicka
Mariola
M
II Klinika Choroby Wieńcowej, Instytut Kardiologii, ul. Spartańska 1, 02-637 Warszawa. mariolaw@orange.pl
Sterliński
Maciej
M
Chwyczko
Tomasz
T
Smolis-Bak
Edyta
E
Szwed
Hanna
H
Kowalik
Ilona
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome