Right ventricular versus biventricular antitachycardia pacing in the termination of ventricular tachyarrhythmia in patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy: the ADVANCE CRT-D trial

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this investigation is to compare the efficacy of antitachycardia pacing (ATP) delivered via the right ventricular (RV) lead versus ATP delivered simultaneously via the right and left ventricular leads (biventricular [BiV]) in the termination of ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT) in patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with ICD capabilities. METHODS AND RESULTS: The ADVANCE CRT is a prospective, multicenter, randomized, parallel trial evaluating RV versus BiV ATP in the termination of VT in CRT patients. The study will test the hypothesis that BiV ATP is superior to RV ATP in the termination of VT and fast VT. All patients with class I and IIa indications for an ICD implantation and CRT are included. The sample size has been estimated to 400 participants followed for 12 months to show a 10% benefit of BiV versus RV ATP. The efficacy of BiV ATP to terminate all VT presents the primary endpoint. The investigation is expected to be completed in 2007. CONCLUSIONS: The ADVANCE CRT trial is the first large randomized clinical investigation evaluating the efficacy of BiV ATP in patients under CRT and ICD therapy.