Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026

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
Regression of dilated-hypokinetic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by biventricular cardiac pacing
Houman Ashrafian1, Mark J Mason, Andrew G Mitchell
1Department of Cardiology, The Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust, Harefield Hospital, Middlesex UB9 6JH, UK. ashrafian@hotmail.com
Insights
Dilated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) can reverse with biventricular pacing and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). This case suggests CRT may offer a new treatment for advanced HCM, challenging its
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Electrophysiology
Background:
- Dilated and hypokinetic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an advanced, often irreversible, stage associated with poor prognosis.
- Adverse outcomes include sudden cardiac death, necessitating defibrillator implantation or cardiac transplantation.
Observation:
- A case demonstrating significant regression of the dilated-hypokinetic state in HCM is presented.
- The intervention utilized was biventricular pacing, a form of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).
Findings:
- Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) induced profound regression in a patient with end-stage hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
- This challenges the established view of the 'burnt-out' phase of HCM as irreversible.
Implications:
- Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) may represent a viable therapeutic option for specific hypertrophic cardiomyopathy variants.
- Further systematic research is crucial to validate the role and efficacy of CRT in managing advanced HCM.
Abstract:
The evolution of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) towards dilatation and hypokinesis is an increasingly recognized complication with a high incidence of adverse outcomes, including sudden cardiac death, requiring defibrillator implantation and cardiac transplantation. It is generally regarded as the irreversible 'burnt-out' end-stage manifestation of HCM. We report one of the first cases of profound regression of the dilated-hypokinetic state by the application of biventricular pacing and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Reviewing the literature on the role of pacing in HCM and the energetic rationale for CRT in HCM prompts us to suggest that further systematic studies are needed urgently to assess the role of CRT in HCM variants.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

