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Benefits of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in an Asynchronous Heart Failure Model Induced by Left Bundle Branch Ablation and Rapid Pacing
Published on: December 11, 2017
[Percutaneous coronary intervention combined cardiac resynchronization therapy for refractory heart failure secondary
Ya-ling Han1, Hong-yun Zang, Dong-mei Wang
1Department of Cardiology, Shenyang General Hospital of PLA, Shenyang 110016, China.
Insights
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) combined with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) significantly improves heart function and quality of life in patients with refractory ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM). This combined therapy offers a safe and effective treatment option for advanced heart failure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Heart Failure Management
Context:
- Ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) frequently leads to refractory heart failure.
- Current treatment options for advanced ICM heart failure have limitations.
- Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) are established treatments for specific aspects of cardiovascular disease.
Purpose:
- To assess the efficacy and safety of combining PCI with CRT in patients suffering from refractory heart failure due to ICM.
- To evaluate the impact of this combined therapeutic approach on cardiac function, clinical status, and long-term outcomes.
Summary:
- Seven patients with severe ICM and refractory heart failure underwent combined PCI and CRT.
- All procedures were successful, with various pacing configurations utilized.
- Significant improvements were observed in New York Heart Association class, 6-minute walking distance, mitral regurgitation, and QRS duration.
- Left ventricular dimensions and ejection fraction showed notable improvement in select patients.
Impact:
- Combined PCI and CRT demonstrates a significant positive impact on heart function, quality of life, and prognosis for refractory heart failure in ICM.
- The combination therapy appears to be safe, with a low mortality rate and manageable complications.
- This approach offers a promising therapeutic strategy for a challenging patient population.
Objective:
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) combined cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) for refractory heart failure secondary to ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM).
Methods:
PCI and CRT were performed in 7 ICM patients confirmed by angiography with NYHA class IV, QRS duration >/= 130 ms in 6 of them, III degrees AVB in 1 patient, fast ventricular heart rate Af in 1 patient, ventricular fibrillation history in 2 patient. All of them had their LVEDD >/= 55 mm, and LVEF = 0.40 detected by UCG. PCI was performed first in 5 patients, and their follow-up angiography showed no restenosis 6 months after PCI, then CRT was given. CRT was performed first in 2 patients and 2 weeks later PCI was combined.
Results:
The procedures of PCI and CRT were performed successfully in all patients. Five patients received right atrial and biventricular pacing, one patient with Af received biventricular pacing and atrial-ventricular node radiofrequency ablation at the same procedure, and the another one patient received CRTD. One out of seven patients died of re-AMI 4 months after the combination therapy, and the other 6 patients had been alive 5 - 41 (23.2 +/- 13.8) months during the follow-up period. The heart function of the 7 patients had further improved after PCI and CRT combined therapy compared to that of PCI or CRT only. Their NYHA class decreased from IV to II, 6-minute walking distance increased steadily, and mitral regurgitation reduced and QRS duration shortened significantly. The LVEDD decreased and LVEF increased significantly in 2 patients without ventricular aneurysm, and slight improvement or no change were in the other 5 patients.
Conclusion:
For patients with refractory heart failure secondary to ICM, the combination of PCI and CRT could obviously improve their heart function, quality of life and prognosis, which also very safe in perforation.
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