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Updated: Jul 5, 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
Cardiac resynchronization therapy for the failing Fontan patient
Vladimir Sojak1, Uros Mazic, Maja Cesen
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Medical Center, Ljubljana, Slovenia. vladimir.sojak@kclj.si
Insights
Cardiac resynchronization therapy improved hemodynamics and clinical status in a Fontan patient with advanced myocardial dysfunction. This offers a potential treatment for progressive heart failure in single-ventricle survivors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- Myocardial dysfunction is a primary cause of mortality in single-ventricle patients.
- Heart transplantation is the standard treatment for end-stage myocardial dysfunction in Fontan patients.
- Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) shows acute benefits in postoperative Fontan patients, but its chronic efficacy is uncertain.
Observation:
- A case study involving a Fontan patient with progressive myocardial dysfunction was examined.
- The patient presented with advanced heart failure symptoms and hemodynamic compromise.
Findings:
- Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with multisite pacing was implemented.
- CRT demonstrated significant improvements in the patient's hemodynamics.
- The patient's overall clinical condition showed marked improvement following CRT.
Implications:
- CRT may be a viable therapeutic option for chronic, progressive myocardial dysfunction in Fontan survivors.
- This case highlights the potential of CRT to manage advanced heart failure in complex single-ventricle physiology.
- Further research into CRT's long-term efficacy in this population is warranted.
Abstract:
Myocardial dysfunction is the leading cause of death in single-ventricle patients. Heart transplantation has traditionally been reserved for Fontan patients with end-stage myocardial dysfunction. Cardiac resynchronization therapy with multisite pacing was found to improve the myocardial performance in Fontan patients in acute postoperative settings; however, its role is unclear in chronic Fontan patients with progressive myocardial dysfunction. We present a case in which cardiac resynchronization therapy improved both hemodynamics and clinical condition in a Fontan patient with advanced myocardial dysfunction.
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