title: The potential role of cardiac resynchronization therapy in acute heart failure syndromes.
abstract: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been demonstrated to improve mortality and morbidity in patients with chronic, stable heart failure who have reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and prolonged QRS duration. Patients with acute heart failure syndromes (AHFS) have been excluded from major CRT trials. The potential benefits and risks of implementation of these devices in the AHFS setting are largely unknown. In this review, we discuss the role that early implementation of CRT may have in improving postdischarge outcomes. In addition, we also discuss the potential adverse consequences of inserting these devices in patients who are in the tenuous clinical state of AHFS.
authors: Cardiovascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 200 Lothrop Street B-535, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. wangnc@upmc.edu
authors: Norman C
authors: NC
authors: Wang
authors: Sanjoy
authors: S
authors: Bhattacharya
authors: Mihai
authors: M
authors: Gheorghiade
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D058406:Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D058409:Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Devices / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018579:Patient Selection; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors