Yeungnam Univ J Med.  2005 Dec;22(2):131-140.

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

• Kim HJ
• Shin DG

Abstract

Heart failure is a clinical syndrome comprised of a number of symptoms and signs associated with congestion and/or hypoperfusion. Specific pharmacologic therapies have been developed to slow disease progression from early to more advanced stages. Once symptoms have developed, aggressive multimodality interventions are instituted to alleviate symptoms and improve clinical status and quality of life; especially in those patients that present symptoms. Recently, an evolving adjunctive therapeutic modality, that involves using implanted electrical devices: cardiac resynchronization with or without implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD). has been used for management. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a proven treatment for selected patients with heart failure-induced conduction disturbances and ventricular dyssynchrony. When used in combination with stable, optimal medical therapy, CRT is designed to reduce symptoms and improve cardiac function by restoring the mechanical sequence of ventricular activation and contraction. This review summarizes the rationale, procedure, clinical trials, and clinical indications for CRT.

Keyword

Cardiac resynchronization therapy; Heart failure

MeSH Terms

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy*
Defibrillators, Implantable
Disease Progression
Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)
Heart
Heart Failure
Humans
Quality of Life
Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)