Cardiac resynchronization therapy for prevention of heart failure events in elderly patients with left ventricular dysfunction

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) due to left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction contributes significantly to cardiovascular morbidity and is a major cause of mortality throughout the world. Its prevalence is increasing as the population ages. Age-related structural and functional changes of the heart in combination with multiple coexisting comorbid conditions significantly reduce cardiovascular reserve capacity and increase the risks of developing symptomatic HF in the elderly. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been demonstrated to reduce HF-related hospitalization as well as mortality and has become an important part of treatment for qualified patients with advanced HF. More recent studies showed a significant reduction in the risk of HF and mortality among CRT recipients with asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic HF (New York Heart Association functional class I–II), LV systolic dysfunction and widened QRS

Keywords::

• cardiac resynchronization therapy
• elderly
• heart failure
• implantable cardioverter defibrillator
• prevention

Financial & competing interest disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.