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Updated: Jul 11, 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
Effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy on insulin-like growth factor-1 in patients with advanced heart failure
Giulio Molon1, Edoardo Adamo, Gaetano M De Ferrari
1Department of Cardiology, Sacro Cuore Hospital, don Calabria, Via don A. Sempreboni, Negrar, Verona, Italy. giulio.molon@sacrocuore.it
Insights
Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) significantly increases insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels in advanced heart failure patients. This rise correlates with improved quality of life, suggesting IGF-1 may mediate early symptom relief.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Heart Failure Research
Background:
- Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is known to improve heart failure symptoms through neurohormonal changes.
- The specific impact of CRT on insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels remains uninvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of CRT on plasma IGF-1 levels in patients with advanced heart failure.
- To explore the correlation between changes in IGF-1, quality of life, and left ventricular (LV) function post-CRT.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 18 patients with advanced heart failure (NYHA class III/IV, LVEF ≤40%, QRS ≥130ms or dyssynchrony) received CRT.
- Measurements of IGF-1, quality of life, and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) were taken at baseline and after 3 months of CRT.
Main Results:
- After 3 months of CRT, significant improvements were observed in LVEF (29% to 33%) and quality of life.
- Plasma IGF-1 levels increased significantly from 137 ng/ml to 175 ng/ml (P=0.01353).
- The improvement in quality of life showed a significant correlation with the increase in IGF-1 levels (P=0.02), but not with LVEF changes.
Conclusions:
- CRT significantly elevates plasma IGF-1 levels within 3 months in patients with advanced heart failure.
- The increase in IGF-1 is associated with enhanced quality of life, independent of LVEF improvements.
- IGF-1 may act as an early mediator of symptomatic benefits following CRT.
Background:
Although a more favorable neurohormonal balance may contribute to improving symptoms following cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), no information is available regarding the effects of CRT on insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). This study assessed the effects of CRT on IGF-1 levels and their correlation with changes in quality of life and left ventricular (LV) function.
Methods And Results:
Patients with cardiomyopathy in New York Heart Association class III or IV (n = 18; age 71 +/- 10 years), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < or = 40% and QRS > or = 130 ms or ventricular dyssynchrony were enrolled in the study and followed up for 6 months. After 3 months, there was an improvement in LVEF (from 29 +/- 7 to 33 +/- 10%, P = 0.0136) and quality of life (from 33 +/- 14 to 13 +/- 12, P = 0.0000) and an increase in IGF-1 levels (from 137 +/- 79 to 175 +/- 111 ng/ml, P = 0.01353). The change in quality of life correlated with changes in IGF-1 levels (P = 0.02) but not with LVEF changes.
Conclusions:
In patients with advanced heart failure, CRT leads to a significant increase in plasma IGF-1 levels within 3 months. This increase is correlated with the improvement in quality of life, whereas the increase in LVEF is not. This finding suggests that IGF-1 may play a role as a mediator in the early phase of symptomatic improvement after CRT.
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