Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

A New Single Chamber Implantable Defibrillator with Atrial Sensing: A Practical Demonstration of Sensing and Ease of Implantation
16:40

A New Single Chamber Implantable Defibrillator with Atrial Sensing: A Practical Demonstration of Sensing and Ease of Implantation

Published on: February 28, 2012

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators and cardiac resynchronisation therapy

Johannes Holzmeister1, Christophe Leclercq

  • 1Department of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. johannes.holzmeister@usz.ch

Lancet (London, England)
|August 23, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) improves outcomes for heart failure patients. Current guidelines recommend CRT for both symptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients, with ongoing research into expanded indications and optimization strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Devices
  • Heart Failure Management

Background:

  • Implantable cardioverter defibrillators and cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) are standard treatments for heart failure.
  • Evidence supports CRT benefits in symptomatic (NYHA class III) and mildly symptomatic (NYHA class II) heart failure patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically assess landmark randomized clinical trials (REVERSE, MADIT-CRT, RAFT) on CRT.
  • To discuss emerging indications for CRT, including specific patient subgroups and optimization.

Main Methods:

  • Review and critical assessment of landmark randomized clinical trials.
  • Discussion of evidence for expanded CRT indications and patient response.

Main Results:

  • CRT is recommended for both NYHA class II and III heart failure patients.
  • Evidence supports exploring CRT in patients with mildly reduced LVEF and narrow QRS.

Conclusions:

  • CRT is a cornerstone in heart failure management for a broader patient population.
  • Further research and optimization are crucial for non-responders and improving CRT efficacy.

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