[Efficacy of cardiac resynchronization therapy for patients with refractory congestive heart failure].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the efficacy of cardiac resynchronization therapy for patients with refractory congestive heart failure.


METHODS
Thirty-one patients with refractory congestive heart failure received cardiac resynchronization therapy. Before operation, all patients received standard drug therapy (28 cases) or integrated with CRRT (3 cases). Coronary sinus and its branches were shown by direct angiography with hollow angiographic catheter (11 cases) and by balloon angiographic catheter (20 cases). Left ventricle and right ventricle electrodes were implanted to 3 patients with atrial fibrillation, 4 patients with paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation received CRT-D implantation. electrocardiogram, 24 hours Holter, echocardiography and physical clinical examinations were made at baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months post resynchronization therapy.


RESULTS
Pacemakers were successfully implanted in all 31 patients. One patient implanted with CRT-D died of multiple organ failure on third day after operation, 1 patient suffered sudden cardiac death 5 months after therapy and 2 patients were lost to fellow up 6 and 12 months after operation, respectively. Results from the remaining 27 patients showed that QRS duration was significantly decreased (153 +/- 8.4 at baseline vs. 132 +/- 9.8 at 24 months follow up) and cardiac function significantly improved (LVEF 0.29 +/- 0.10 at baseline vs. 0.41 +/- 0.11 at 24 months follow up, P < 0.05 vs. baseline) during follow up compared to baseline. Malignant ventricular arrhythmia occurred in 3 patients with CRT-D and successfully terminated and converted to sinus rhythm.


CONCLUSIONS
Cardiac resynchronization therapy could improve cardiac function for patients with refractory congestive heart failure. CRT-D can effectively terminate the malignant ventricular arrhythmia.
Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830054, China.
Hu-yati
HY
Mu
Tao
T
Lin
Yi-ong
YO
Ma
Bao-peng
BP
Tang
Xue-kun
XK
Shi
Zhi-qiang
ZQ
Liu
D000368:Aged; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D016896:Treatment Outcome