[Biventricular resynchronization in the treatment of chronic heart failure]

Chronic heart failure (CHF) caused by systolic dysfunction is a disease of epidemic proportions. Although pharmacological therapy has ameliorated symptoms and improved the survival of these patients, this chronic syndrome remains a progressive disease, causing incremental morbidity and early mortality. Preliminary studies show that ventricular resynchronization significantly improves exercise tolerance and the quality of life in patients with CHF who have sinus rhythm and major intraventricular conduction delay. Cardiac-resynchronization therapy requires in synchrony with atrial activity. Atriobiventricular pacing significantly improved symptoms, exercise tolerance and the quality of life. The use of this procedure today should be individualized however, further studies are needed to assess the long-term clinical effect of this therapeutic approach.