RESYNCHRONISATION THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEART FAILURE (10 CASES REPORTED PLUS)

Objectives To evaluate the clinical effect of cardiac resynchronisation therapy on systolic function in patients with New York Heart Association class III or IV chronic heart failure. Methods 10 male patients with an average age of 50±9 years who accepted the optimal drug therapy still had heart failure symptoms were selected to accept cardiac resynchronisation therapy. Changes of the QRS duration, LV ejection fraction, LV end-systolic volume index, mitral reflux volume and heart failure symptoms were measured in all patients at baseline, 3 month and 6 month after cardiac resynchronisation therapy. Results After 3–12 months' follow up, all parameters of heart function at 3-months after cardiac resynchronisation therapy were improved significantly, compared to preoperative, and improvement continuing during the follow up. One patient died suddenly during follow up. Conclusions Cardiac resynchronisation therapy is an effective method to treat chronic systolic heart failure, improving the hemodynamics, heart function and clinical symptoms. Cardiac resynchronisation therapy might be an effective and safety treatment for the patients with systolic heart failure who have the indication.