Cardiac resynchronization therapy with or without defibrillator: experience from a high-volume Belgian implantation centre

Abstract

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an important treatment modality for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and ventricular conduction delay. With stringent reimbursement criteria in an aging population, adding a defibrilator function to CRT remains a matter of debate. Our aim was to describe the experience of a high-volume Belgian implantation centre with CRT with/without defibrilator (CRT-D/P). Methods: Consecutive CRT patients (n=221), implanted between October 2008 and April 2011 in Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg (Genk), were screened. From 209 primo-implantations, 74 CRTD and 98 CRTP patients with complete follow up inside the centre were analysed. Results: Despite differences in baseline characteristics, both groups demonstrated similar reverse left ventricular remodelling, improvement in New York Heart Association functional class and maximal aerobic capacity.