Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy for Heart Failure

Abstract

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an effective treatment for selected patients with chronic heart failure and a prolonged QRS interval. In combination with the pharmacotherapy, it is one of the most powerful recent advances for reducing morbidity and mortality in the challenging heart failure population. The goal of CRT is to restore mechanical synchrony by electrically activating the heart in a synchronized manner in patients with severe systolic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and a widened QRS. CRT results in both short-term and long-term improvement in cardiac structure and function, leading to enhanced quality of life and, for some populations, enhanced survival. Ongoing and future research will continue to investigate ways to reduce the frequency of non-response to CRT while seeking to expand the pool of patients eligible for this life-saving therapy.