Cardiac Re-synchronization Therapy for Patients with Severe Heart Failure in Infancy

Abstract

Techniques of cardiac re-synchronization therapy (CRT) for pediatric patients differs from those in patients with and without congenital heart defects. However, despite the use of CRT implants for pediatric patients based on the conventional method used in adults with medically refractory heart failure, specific ventricular morphologies need consideration when performing CRT in cases of complex congenital heart defects. Herein we introduce a novel method for managing CRT in infants, who not only have a small body size but also need individualized determination of pacing sites and surgical implantation methods, considering ventricular mor-phologies and the type of dyssynchrony in patients with complex congenital heart defects. For appropriate CRT in pediatric patients with severe heart failure, integration of further perspectives in this area are desirable.