Functional response to cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with renal dysfunction and subsequent long-term mortality

Abstract

CRT Response in Patients with Renal Dysfunction Introduction Renal dysfunction is associated with increased morbi-mortality in heart failure patients. Data regarding functional and clinical efficacy of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in this population are limited. Methods and Results We aimed to evaluate the rate of functional response to CRT in patients with renal dysfunction and its association with long-term mortality. Our study included a total of 179 consecutive patients implanted between 2007 and 2010. The rate of functional response to CRT (defined by a composite score using New York Heart Association functional class, 6-minute walk test, and quality of life) was compared between patients with and without renal dysfunction (defined as eGFR < 0.001), and had higher prevalence of ischemic heart disease (75% vs. 53%; P = 0.003). Functional response rates did not differ significantly between patients with and without renal dysfunction (58% and 69%, respectively; P = 0.14). Despite overall higher mortality in patients with low eGFR (53.8% vs. 22.7%; P < 0.001), the presence of functional response at 1 year among patients with renal dysfunction was still independently associated with an improved long-term survival (HR = 0.49 [95%CI: 0.28-0.83]; P = 0.009). Conclusion Functional response to CRT at 1 year does not differ significantly between patients with or without kidney disease, and is an independent predictor of improved long-term survival in patients with renal dysfunction.