Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 26, 2026

Use of a Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device/Left Atrium to Femoral Artery Bypass System for Cardiogenic Shock
Published on: August 16, 2021
Bridging the gap between heart failure and the device clinic
John Rickard1, Bruce L Wilkoff1
1a Division of Cardiovascular Medicine , Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic Cleveland , Ohio , USA.
Insights
Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) offers benefits for systolic dysfunction, but suboptimal outcomes occur. Multidisciplinary care improves patient results by integrating various cardiology expertise.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a key treatment for chronic systolic dysfunction.
- A significant number of patients do not achieve optimal benefits from CRT.
Observation:
- Less than optimal outcomes following CRT are common.
- Multidisciplinary care models have demonstrated positive impacts on patient follow-up.
- This review examines reasons for suboptimal CRT outcomes and multidisciplinary care strategies.
Findings:
- Multidisciplinary care, integrating diverse cardiology expertise, is crucial for optimizing CRT outcomes.
- Breaking down subspecialty silos enhances the delivery of high-level multidisciplinary care.
Implications:
- Implementing comprehensive, multidisciplinary care strategies can improve patient response to CRT.
- Enhanced collaboration among cardiac subspecialties is vital for maximizing the effectiveness of CRT devices.
Introduction:
While cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a mainstay in the management of selected patients with chronic systolic dysfunction, many patients are noted to experience less than expected or no benefit at all from the therapy. Multidisciplinary care has been shown to provide benefit in follow up for patients receiving CRT devices. Areas covered: This review will focus on the apparent reasons behind less than optimal outcomes following CRT as well as multidisciplinary approaches to treating patients with CRT devices. The literature review focused mainly on the data behind multidisciplinary care of CRT patients. Expert commentary: A multidisciplinary approach incorporating input from various cardiology backgrounds is an important strategy in ensuring optimal outcomes in patients receiving CRT devices. Breaking down the 'silo' effect amongst cardiac subspecialties is vital in achieving high level multidisciplinary care.
Related Concept Videos
Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
Heart Failure V: Medical Management
Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Heart Failure I: Introduction

