AV nodal ablation was associated with a substantial reduction in all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality and with improvements in New York Heart Association functional class compared with medical therapy in CRT-AF patients .
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to systematic ally review the medical literature to evaluate the impact of AV nodal ablation in patients with heart failure and coexistent atrial fibrillation ( AF ) receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy ( CRT ) .
BACKGROUND CRT has a substantial evidence base in patients in sinus rhythm with significant systolic dysfunction , symptomatic heart failure , and prolonged QRS duration .
The role of CRT is less well established in AF patients with coexistent heart failure .
AV nodal ablation has recently been suggested to improve outcomes in this group .
The European cardiac resynchronization therapy survey.
AIMS The European cardiac resynchronization therapy ( CRT ) survey is a joint initiative taken by the Heart Failure Association and the European Heart Rhythm Association of the European Society of Cardiology . The primary aim of this survey is to describe current European practice associated with CRT implantations . METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 140 centres from 13 European countries contributed data from consecutive patients successfully implanted with a CRT device with or without an ICD between November 2008 and June 2009 . The total number of patients enrolled was 2438 . The median age of the patients was 70 years ( IQR 62 - 76 ) and 31 % were > or = 75 years . It was found that 78 % were in NYHA functional class III or IV and 22 % in I or II . The mean ejection fraction was 27 % + /- 8 and the mean QRS duration 157 ms + /- 32 . The QRS duration was < 120 ms in 9 % . Atrial fibrillation was reported in 23 % . It was found that 26 % of patients had a previously implanted permanent pacemaker or ICD ; 76 % of procedures were performed by an electrophysiologist ; 82 % had an elective admission for implantation and the median duration of hospitalization was 3 days ( IQR 2 - 7 ) ; and 73 % received a CRT-D device which was more often implanted in men , younger patients , and with ischaemic aetiology . The mean QRS duration was reduced to 133 ms + /- 27 ( P < 0.0001 ) at discharge . Peri-procedural complication rates were comparable to the rates reported in r and omized trials . CONCLUSION This CRT survey provides important information describing current European practice with regard to patient demographics , selection criteria , procedural routines , and status at discharge . These data should be useful for benchmarking individual patient management and national practice against wider experience
AV nodal ablation was associated with a substantial reduction in all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality and with improvements in New York Heart Association functional class compared with medical therapy in CRT-AF patients .
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to systematic ally review the medical literature to evaluate the impact of AV nodal ablation in patients with heart failure and coexistent atrial fibrillation ( AF ) receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy ( CRT ) .
BACKGROUND CRT has a substantial evidence base in patients in sinus rhythm with significant systolic dysfunction , symptomatic heart failure , and prolonged QRS duration .
The role of CRT is less well established in AF patients with coexistent heart failure .
AV nodal ablation has recently been suggested to improve outcomes in this group .