Heart failure and transplantation with Dr Ileana Piņa

View all posts »

CRT and ICD implantation in difficult times

Jun 22, 2011 11:30 EDT


An examination of the data from controversial recent studies into appropriateness of ICD implantation and cardiac resynchronization therapy underlines the importance of following the guidelines to ensure optimum patient care.

See:

Al-Khatib SM, Hellkamp A, Curtis J, et al. Non-evidence-based ICD implantations in the United States. JAMA 2011; 305:43-49. Available here.

Controversial ICD-appropriateness study questioned in JAMA letters

Sipahi I, Carrigan TP, Rowland DY, et al. Impact of QRS duration on clinical event reduction with cardiac resynchronization therapy. Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Arch Intern Med 2011; DOI:10.1001/archinternmed.2011.247. Available here.

CRT: No clinical benefit seen in "moderately" prolonged QRS; many getting it needlessly








Your comments
CRT and ICD implantation in difficult times
# 1 of 1
August 14, 2011 04:39 (EDT)
Amin
I guess this is the most important point every clinician should keep in mind while visiting new heart failure cases. In fact nobody could say for sure that patients who enjoy a rise in ejection fraction after CRT implantation totally owe the device, as recovery is not unusual in cardiomyopathies. Though many of us apply the concept of postponing device recommendation in line with what registries and trials have shown, legal issues might lead to earlier (thus unnecessary) recommendations. Even if one is justified with implantation of CRT-P in a heart failure patient without any VT episode, which has been addressed and proved to be equally beneficial, the patient ends up with a CRT-D because of legal concerns. So, what should we do?

You must be a member (with full membership) to post a comment.
Already a member?
Enter your login information below:
 Remember me on this computer
Enjoy all the benefits of theheart.org

With full membership, you can check out our educational and editorial content, search the site, receive our newsletters, join discussions, download slides and much more.

Membership is free!