Eligibility of cardiac resynchronization therapy patients for subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillators

The eligibility for subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (S-ICD) was assessed among patients already implanted with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). We included 20 patients (15 men, age 73 ± 10 years, LVEF 35 ± 10%). Seventeen (85%) patients were eligible for S-ICDs: 11 (55%) patients on only 1 vector and 6 (30%) patients on 2 or 3 vectors. Patients who were eligible on 2–3 vectors had narrower paced QRS than patients who were not eligible or were eligible on only one vector (133 ± 18 ms vs 167 ± 17 ms, p = 0.007). If necessary, S-ICD implantation could be considered in most patients with CRT.     

Exercise training in heart failure improves quality of life and exercise capacity

Aims Benefit from exercise training in heart failure has mainly beenshown in men with ischaemic disease. We aimed to examine theeffects of exercise training in heart failure patients 75 yearsold of both sexes and with various aetiology. Methods and Results Fifty-four patients with stable mild-to-moderate heart failurewere randomized to exercise or control, and 49 completed thestudy (49% 65 years; 29% women; 24% non-ischaemic aetiology;training, n=22; controls, n=27). The exercise programme consistedof bicycle training at 80% of maximal intensity over a periodof 4 months.Improvements vs controls were found regarding maximalexercise capacity (6±12 vs –4±12% [mean±SD],P<0·01)and global quality-of-life (2 [1] vs 0 [1] units [median {inter-quartilerange}],P<0·01), but not regarding maximal oxygenconsumption or the dyspnoea–fatigue index. All of thesefour variables significantly improved in men with ischaemicaetiology compared with controls (n=11). However, none of thesevariables improved in women with ischaemic aetiology (n=5),or in patients with non-ischaemic aetiology (n=6). The trainingresponse was independent of age, left ventricular systolic function,and maximal oxygen consumption. No training-related adverseeffects were reported. Conclusion Supervised exercise training was safe and beneficial in heartfailure patients 75 years, especially in men with ischaemicaetiology. The effects of exercise training in women and patientswith non-ischaemic aetiology should be further examined.     

Update of implantable cardioverter/defibrillator and cardiac resynchronization therapy in heart failure

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Heart failure prevalence is reaching epidemic proportion in the United States and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. A large proportion of the mortality is the result of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Clinical trials have demonstrated the superiority of the implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) compared with antiarrhythmic drugs for secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death. RECENT FINDINGS: Recently, several clinical trials in primary prevention of sudden cardiac death in both ischemic and nonischemic heart failure have been completed. The 2002 guidelines for implantable cardioverter/defibrillator implantation were recently released as well. Adjunct therapy consisting of antiarrhythmic drugs or radiofrequency ablation is necessary in the subset of patients with implantable cardioverter/defibrillator that have frequent or intractable ventricular arrhythmias. An emerging new therapy in the heart failure population is cardiac resynchronization therapy, which coordinates right and left ventricular pacing in a subset of patients with interventricular conduction delay. SUMMARY: Several randomized clinical trials have demonstrated improvements in heart failure-related symptoms, exercise tolerance, and reversal of ventricular remodeling. Meta-analysis of these trials has also demonstrated mortality benefit. Patient selection, left ventricular pacing site, and optimal device programming are issues that need further investigation. Recent trials have also studied the compatibility between cardiac resynchronization therapy and implantable cardioverter/defibrillator as a single device. Finally, the DAVID trial has raised concerns of conventional right ventricular pacing and the risk of heart failure in a subset of patients.     

Advances in remote monitoring of implantable pacemakers,cardioverter defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization therapy systems

Unlike the standard quarterly or semi-annual direct ambulatory device interrogations procedures, state-of-the-art implantable electronic cardiovascular devices (IECD) enable their wireless remote interrogation and monitoring, and automatically send reports and special alerts on a daily basis. This allows physicians to respond more proactively to changes in patient or device status, more appropriately triage patient care, and more efficiently perform the post-implant ambulatory follow-ups. This review presents the-state-of the-art technology of remote IECD monitoring and summarizes the main clinical observations published through June 2008. Cardiovascular remote monitoring systems made by several manufacturers are currently in various phases of development, clinical investigation, and medical applications. Data collected in several completed and ongoing studies strongly suggest that this new technology will make important contributions, particularly with respect to the facilitation of IECD follow-ups, enhancement of patient safety and quality of life, and lowering of medical costs. Further technological advances and a more clear understanding and appreciation of the clinical and economic benefits of telecardiology, will likely increase sharply the use of remote IECD monitoring in upcoming years.     

Effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy on quality of life of patients with chronic heart failure

AIM: To study quality of life of heart failure patients who underwent cardiac resynchronization therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cardiac resynchronization devices were implanted to 27 consecutive patients (69.7+/-11.9 years of age) with severe heart failure (NYHA class III-IV). Follow up period was 11.6+/-4.9 months. Changes of parameters of quality of life (measured by questionnaire SF-36), ECHO-characteristics (left ventricular ejection fraction, end-diastolic diameter, end-systolic diameter, pulmonary artery blood pressure, mitral and tricuspid regurgitation), six-minute walk distance were assessed at baseline and in 2, 6, and 12 months after implantation of resynchronization device. RESULTS: Cardiac resynchronization therapy improved quality of life according to physical and emotional scales. Changes of the following hemodynamic characteristics were positive: ejection fraction (from 30.6+/-4,2% at baseline to 43.4+/-5.1, 46.8+/-0.3, 45.7+/-3.4% in 2, 6, 12 months after implantation, respectively), end-diastolic diameter (from 82+/-2 mm at baseline to 76+/-3, 73+/-2, 75+/-4 mm in 2, 6, 12 months after implantation, respectively), end-systolic diameter (from 56+/-2 mm at baseline to 53+/-2, 51+/-1, 52+/-3 mm in 2, 6, 12 months after implantation, respectively), pulmonary artery blood pressure (from 44+/-4 mm Hg at baseline to 35+/-3, 30+/-5, 34+/-4 mm Hg in 2, 6, 12 months after implantation, respectively), mitral regurgitation degree (from 2.8+/-0.2 at baseline to 2.4+/-0.2, 2.3+/-0.1, 2.5+/-0.3 in 2, 6, 12 months after implantation, respectively) and tricuspid regurgitation degree (from 2.5+/-0.1 at baseline to 2.1+/-0.2, 2.1+/-0.1, 2.2+/-0.2 in 2, 6, 12 months after implantation, respectively). Moreover, six minutes walk distance significantly improved (from 212+/-18 m at baseline to 270+/-14, 286+/-17 and 278+/-13 m in 2, 6, and 12 months after cardiac resynchronization device implantation, respectively). CONCLUSION: Cardiac resynchronization therapy improves quality of life of patients with terminal stage heart failure.     

已植入心律转复除颤器的心力衰竭患者再行心脏再同步治疗一例

现报道已植入心律转复除颤器（ICD）后再行心脏再同步治疗（CRT）一例。临床资料 患者男性，62岁，因反复气促10余年，加重10d入院。3年前曾冠状动脉造影阴性。1年前因心力衰竭在外院拟做CRT手术，术前因发现心房颤动（房颤）、短阵室性心动过速（室速）而改为植入ICD（Medtronic GEM Ⅲ VR7231）。有糖尿病史3年，无高血压病史。     

The effect of endurance training on exercise capacity following cardiac resynchronization therapy in chronic heart failure patients: a pilot trial.

BACKGROUND: Both endurance training (ET) and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improve quality of life (QOL) and exercise tolerance in patients with advanced chronic heart failure (CHF). DESIGN: A randomized intervention trial to study the effect on exercise capacity of ET in addition to CRT in patients with CHF and dyssynchrony. METHODS: Seventeen patients (eight men, aged 59+/-9 years) with CHF and dyssynchrony were randomized to CRT with (n=8) or without (n=9) ET and compared with two matched control CHF groups (standard care with ET: n=9, standard care only: n=10). At baseline and after 5 months, exercise tolerance, left ventricular (LV) remodelling, QOL and NT-pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels were assessed. RESULTS: Peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), maximal workload (Wattmax), circulatory power, LV ejection fraction, dyssynchrony and QOL improved in both CRT groups. However, the increase in VO2peak (+40% versus +16%, P=0.005), Wattmax (+43% versus +13%, P=0.0005), and circulatory power (+74% versus +32%, P=0.01), was significantly greater in the trained versus the untrained CRT patients. Comparison of the four patient groups confirmed the cumulative effects of CRT plus ET. CONCLUSIONS: ET in resynchronized CHF patients is feasible and further enhances exercise tolerance. Patients with severe CHF should be prescribed an exercise training programme after implantation in order to maximize the expected benefit.     

心脏再同步治疗对慢性心衰患者心功能、心律失常、运动能力及生活质量的影响

目的:观察心脏再同步治疗对慢性心力衰竭(CHF)患者心功能、心律失常、运动能力及生活质量的影响。方法:选择本院行心脏再同步治疗的95例CHF患者临床资料,观察治疗前、治疗12周后心功能、心律失常指标、运动能力变化,并采用明尼苏达心力衰竭生活质量调查问卷(MLHFQ)评估患者治疗前后的生活质量。结果:与术前比较,术后12周患者左室收缩末期容积(LVESV)[(138.90±25.28)ml比(119.87±20.78)ml]、二尖瓣返流面积(MRA)[(5.36±0.95)cm^2比(2.66±0.77)cm^2]、MRA/左房面积(LAA)[(30.87±8.48)比(20.03±5.61)]、各左室壁12节段的收缩达峰时间(TS)间的极差(Ts-maxD)[(112.44±15.1)ms比(62.82±13.23)ms]、各TS间的标准差(Ts-SD)[(22.48±5.41)ms比(14.77±2.86)ms]均显著减小(P均=0.001),左室射血分数(LVEF)[(29.44±4.12)%比(36.52±4.58)%]、左室内压最大变化速率(LVdp/dt)[(602.9±108.74)mmHg比(1325.19±188.85)mmHg]均显著提高(P均=0.001),房早、阵发房速、阵发房颤、阵发室速发生数均显著减少(P均=0.001),6min步行距离[(280.31±11.12)m比(387.46±17.01)m]显著增加(P=0.001),MLHFQ各项评分及总分[(67.59±8.29)分比(47.02±7.42)分]显著降低,生活质量显著改善(P均=0.001)。结论:心脏再同步治疗能够显著改善慢性心衰患者的左室收缩功能,减少房性心律失常、阵发室速的发生风险,提高患者活动能力与生活质量。     

Effects of exercise training on cardiac performance, exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with heart failure: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Despite major advances in pharmacological treatment of chronic heart failure (CHF), a number of patients still suffer from dyspnoea, fatigue, diminished exercise capacity and poor quality of life. It is in this context that exercise training is being intensively evaluated for any additional benefit in the treatment of CHF. AIMS: To determine the effect of exercise training in patients with CHF on cardiac performance, exercise capacity and health-related quality of life. A meta-analysis was performed to obtain this goal. METHODS AND RESULTS: After including 35 randomised controlled trials, the methodological quality of each study was assessed, summary effect sizes (SESs) and the concomitant 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated for each outcome. Quantitative analysis showed statistically significant SESs, at rest, for diastolic blood pressure and end-diastolic volume. During maximal exercise, significant SESs were found for systolic blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, peak oxygen uptake, anaerobic threshold and 6-min walking test. The Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire improved by an average of 9.7 points. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise training has clinically important effects on exercise capacity and HRQL, and may have small positive effects on cardiac performance during exercise.     

运动康复改善老年慢性心衰患者心功能和生活质量的研究

目的:观察老年慢性心衰患者运动康复后心功能和生活质量的改变。方法:对60例老年慢性心衰病人在常规药物治疗的基础上,实施运动康复疗法,并与58例非康复组进行对照比较;观察出院时病人6min步行距离、运动耐量、平均住院日和心功能变化,同时测定血浆脑钠肽(BNP)含量,对其生活质量进行评定;观察随访一年时病人的心功能、再住院率和死亡率。结果:出院时康复组运动贮量、生活质量明显提高,NYHA心功能级别显著改善(P<0.05或<0.01),BNP水平和心室重量指数(LVMI)则显著降低(P<0.05);较之对照组除上述指标显著改善(P<0.05~<0.01)外,6min步行距离增加非常显著(P<0.01)平均住院日显著减少(P<0.05);随访一年时康复组病人的心功能、6min步行距离、运动贮量、生活质量、左室射血分数(LVEF)和E/A比值均明显增加,NYHA心功能级别显著改善(P<0.01),左房内径(LAd)、LVMI以及再入院率和死亡率明显低于对照组(P<0.01或P<0.05)。结论:运动康复可以改善心功能,提高运动耐量和生活质量,缩短住院时间,降低再入院率和死亡率;长期运动康复可能有改善心肌的重构的作用。     

运动康复改善老年慢性心衰患者心功能和生活质量的研究

目的:观察老年慢性心衰患者运动康复后心功能和生活质量的改变.方法:对60例老年慢性心衰病人在常规药物治疗的基础上,实施运动康复疗法,并与58例非康复组进行对照比较;观察出院时病人 6 min步行距离、运动耐量、平均住院日和心功能变化,同时测定血浆脑钠肽(BNP)含量,对其生活质量进行评定;观察随访一年时病人的心功能、再住院率和死亡率.结果:出院时康复组运动贮量、生活质量明显提高,NYHA心功能级别显著改善(P＜0.05或＜0.01),BNP水平和心室重量指数(LVMI)则显著降低(P＜0.05);较之对照组除上述指标显著改善(P＜0.05～＜0.01)外,6 min步行距离增加非常显著(P＜0.01)平均住院日显著减少(P＜0.05);随访一年时康复组病人的心功能、6 min步行距离、运动贮量、生活质量、左室射血分数(LVEF)和E/A比值均明显增加,NYHA心功能级别显著改善(P＜0.01),左房内径(LAd)、LVMI以及再入院率和死亡率明显低于对照组(P＜0.01或P＜0.05).结论:运动康复可以改善心功能,提高运动耐量和生活质量,缩短住院时间,降低再入院率和死亡率;长期运动康复可能有改善心肌的重构的作用.     

Quality of life in pediatric patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators

Psychosocial and quality-of-life (QOL) outcomes in adult patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are well studied. Minimal research exists regarding pediatric adjustment, despite a potentially more challenging adjustment process. The purpose of the present study was to examine psychosocial and QOL functioning of pediatric ICD patients from patient and parent self-reports. Children and primary caregiver dyads from several university hospitals were analyzed using the PedsQL, the Device Severity Index, the ICD and Avoidance Survey, and demographic information. Sixty children (25 female, 35 male) were enrolled. The present pediatric sample reported lower psychosocial and physical QOL scores than healthy children's normative scores. In comparison with a sample of chronically ill children, pediatric ICD patients reported lower physical QOL. Parent-observed QOL reports revealed lower psychosocial and physical QOL than parent-observed healthy norms and lower psychosocial and physical QOL than chronically ill norms. There were no QOL differences by ICD shocks or medical severity. Female patients reported lower psychosocial, physical, and cardiac QOL scores. Children reported better QOL than parent observations on psychosocial and physical health. Finally, 84.7% of children reported avoidance behaviors since ICD implantation, with female children avoiding places more than male children. In conclusion, pediatric ICD patients are comparable to children with other chronic illnesses with the exception of lower physical QOL. Similar to adult samples, female children reported poorer QOL and were more likely to engage in avoidance behaviors. Patients indicated better QOL perceptions than their parents' reports. ICD discharges and medical severity did not negatively affect QOL.     

心脏再同步治疗慢性心力衰竭的建议

慢性心力衰竭是心内科治疗学上的难题，是使患者丧失工作能力，具有较高患病率和病死率的严重疾患。流行病学资料显示：美国大约有500万人罹患心力衰竭，每年新增病例55万；全球心力衰竭患病人数高达2250万，每年新增病例数200万。我国2003年一项心力衰竭流行病学调查资料显示，在35—74岁人群中，心力衰竭患病率为0．9％。按此比率推算，我国35—74岁人群中约有心力衰竭患者400万人。心力衰竭的病死率与临床严重程度相关。     

全自动远程家庭监测系统在植入心律转复除颤器患者中的应用

目的 评价全自动远程家庭监测（HM）在植入心律转复除颤器（ICD）/心脏再同步治疗除颤器（CRT-D）患者中的应用.方法 随访23例植入了带有HM功能的ICD及CRT-D患者,分析HM所获得的日常信息和报警数据,观察其对系统相关事件、心律失常和心力衰竭（心衰）监测在内的临床相关事件的早期监测及临床干预的疗效.结果 对23例患者随访122～937（452.1±262.2）d,共接收报警信息1 991次,发现异常事件1 481次,其中96.4％是临床相关事件,1.5％为系统相关事件,无信息传输事件占2.1％.系统相关事件多为感知异常,其中发现左心室导线脱位1例.临床相关事件中心律失常报警事件占84.7％[室上性心律失常和心房颤动（房颤）事件较多],心衰报警事件占15.3％,以静息时心率升高及心脏再同步治疗心室起搏百分比降低为主.根据HM系统报警信息,电话联络患者65例次,优化参数11例次,指导调整药物治疗方案18例次,4例患者入院治疗.结论 对于植入ICD/CRT-D的患者,HM系统是一项必要的、安全可靠的远程监测方法,可以及时识别起搏系统相关异常、发现临床相关事件,可指导对患者进行早期临床干预,优化随访管理,提高患者生活质量.     

慢性心力衰竭患者心脏再同步治疗疗效观察

Objective This study was designed to evaluate the clinical outcome of cardiac resynchro-nization therapy(CRT) during short and mid-long term follow-up. Methods Consecutive patients treated with CRT between 1999 and 2008 were registered. Clinical information was collected from baseline and last follow-up. Clinical information included survival, chnical cardiac function, echocardiography parameters and QRS wave width from surface ECG. Results Ninety-five patients who were treated with CRT successfully were included. These patients were divided into two groups: those with only short term follow-up and those with mid-long term follow-up. In the short term follow-up group,survival was 89.1% with follow-up of(18±10) month(median = 18 months). Survival was 66.6% in mid-long term group with follow-up of(57±17) months (median = 54 moths). While clinical cardiac function was significantly improved in both groups the intrinsic QRS wave width did not show significant change. Those patients' medical therapy for chronic heart failure has been changed dur-ing the period of follow-up. Conclusion CRT can improve clinical cardiac function in parts of patients with chronic heart failure and increased survival during mid-long term and short term follow-up. However, there re-mains a need for more sensitive indicators.