title: Combined resynchronization therapy and automatic defibrillator in advanced non-ischaemic heart failure: the importance of QRS width.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The combined use of an automatic defibrillator in resynchronization therapy for primary prevention in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy is controversial.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We assessed a series of 46 patients (61 +/- 10 years, 64% male) with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy undergoing resynchronization therapy combined with a defibrillator in primary prevention and the potential relationship between baseline characteristics and the onset of ventricular arrhythmic events. Of the 46 patients included, eight (17%) presented episodes of ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation during follow-up (19 +/- 12 months). There were no baseline differences among these patients, except the proportion of males (57.9 vs. 100%, P = 0.02) and QRS width (162 +/- 24 vs. 189 +/- 26 ms, P = 0.008), which was the only independent predictor of arrhythmic events (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.12-1.68; P = 0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy undergoing resynchronization therapy combined with a defibrillator, baseline QRS is an independent predictor of arrhythmic events.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Service, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, Campus Teatinos s/n 29010, Málaga, Spain. fjcabrera@secardiologia.es
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cabrera-Bueno
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fernández-Pastor
authors.forename: María José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Molina-Mora
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alzueta
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Peña-Hernández
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barrera
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: de Teresa-Galván
mesh_terms: D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000379:methods*; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome