[Current clinical practise of cardiac resynchronisation therapy in Austria--national results from the European CRT Survey].

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has become an established treatment modality in patients with chronic heart failure, reducing both mortality and morbidity. However, patient selection, implantation and follow-up require great clinical experience. Between 2008 and 2010, the European Society of Cardiology initiated the European CRT survey to describe the current practice and routines associated with CRT implantations in 13 countries. Data from 156 patients collected in 10 Austrian centres were analysed compared to the total 2438 patients enrolled. The survey data showed that general practice did not adhere to the present guidelines. More than one third (36%) of the patients had atrial fibrillation and more than one-fourth (29%) had had a device implanted previously. Altogether, 22% of the patients were in NYHA functional class I or II, and 18% had a LVEF > 35%. Approximately one-fourth of the patients were treated with CRT-P devices (Austria 23%, total 27%). In Austria a higher percentage of patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy was selected for CRT than in the other European countries (56% versus 40%, p < 0.0001). Less than a quarter of all patients were females. Different from the rest of Europe, only a minority of CRT implantations were performed by cardiologists in Austria (29% as compared to 89% throughout Europe; p < 0.0001).