Conclusion The results of our meta- analysis suggest that AF was associated with decreased CRT benefits in patients with HF .
CRT , however , benefits patients with AF with AVJ ablation
Background Cardiac resynchronisation therapy ( CRT ) is beneficial in selected patients with heart failure ( HF ) in normal sinus rhythm ( NSR ) .
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Patients With Permanent Atrial Fibrillation: Results From the Resynchronization for Ambulatory Heart Failure Trial (RAFT)
Background —Cardiac resynchronization ( CRT ) prolongs survival in patients with systolic heart failure and QRS prolongation . However , most trials excluded patients with permanent atrial fibrillation . Methods and Results —The Resynchronization for Ambulatory Heart Failure Trial ( RAFT ) r and omized patients to an implantable cardioverter defibrillator ( ICD ) or ICD+CRT , stratified by the presence of permanent atrial fibrillation . Patients with permanent atrial fibrillation were r and omized to CRT-ICD ( n=114 ) or ICD ( n=115 ) . Patients receiving a CRT-ICD were similar to those receiving an ICD  : age ( 71.6±7.3 versus 70.4±7.7 years ) , left ventricular ejection fraction ( 22.9±5.3 % versus 22.3±5.1 % ) , and QRS duration ( 151.0±23.6 versus 153.4±24.7 ms ) . There was no difference in the primary outcome of death or heart failure hospitalization between those assigned to CRT-ICD versus ICD ( hazard ratio , 0.96 ; 95 % CI , 0.65–1.41 ; P=0.82 ) . Cardiovascular death was similar between treatment arms ( hazard ratio , 0.97 ; 95 % CI , 0.55–1.71 ; P=0.91 ) ; however , there was a trend for fewer heart failure hospitalizations with CRT-ICD ( hazard ratio , 0.58 ; 95 % CI , 0.38–1.01 ; P=0.052 ) . The change in 6-minute hall walk duration between baseline and 12 months was not different between treatment arms ( CRT-ICD : 19±84 m versus ICD : 16±76 m ; P=0.88 ) . Patients treated with CRT-ICD showed a trend for a greater improvement in Minnesota Living with Heart Failure score between baseline and 6 months ( CRT-ICD : 41±21 to 31±21 ; ICD : 33±20 to 28±20 ; P=0.057 ) . Conclusions — Patients with permanent atrial fibrillation who are otherwise CRT c and i date s appear to gain minimal benefit from CRT-ICD compared with a st and ard ICD . Clinical Trial Registration —URL : http://www . clinical trials.gov . Unique identifier : NCT00251251
Conclusion The results of our meta- analysis suggest that AF was associated with decreased CRT benefits in patients with HF .
CRT , however , benefits patients with AF with AVJ ablation
Background Cardiac resynchronisation therapy ( CRT ) is beneficial in selected patients with heart failure ( HF ) in normal sinus rhythm ( NSR ) .