Cinzia Valzania1, Giulia Massaro2, Alberto Spadotto2, Lorenzo Muraglia3, Jessica Frisoni2, Cristian Martignani2, Matteo Ziacchi2, Igor Diemberger2,4, Stefano Fanti3,4, Giuseppe Boriani5, Mauro Biffi2, Nazzareno Galié2,4. 1. Department of Cardiology, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Di Bologna, Policlinico Di S.Orsola, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy. cinzia.valzania@gmail.com. 2. Department of Cardiology, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Di Bologna, Policlinico Di S.Orsola, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy. 3. Department of Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Di Bologna, Policlinico Di S.Orsola, Bologna, Italy. 4. Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. 5. Cardiology Division, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Polyclinic of Modena, Modena, Italy.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Relatively few data are available on long-term survival and incidence of ventricular arrhythmias in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) patients. We investigated long-term outcomes of CRT patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy stratified as responders or non-responders according to radionuclide angiography. METHODS: Fifty patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy undergoing CRT were assessed by equilibrium Tc99 radionuclide angiography with bicycle exercise at baseline and after 3 months. Intra- and interventricular dyssynchrony were derived by Fourier phase analysis. Patient clinical outcome was assessed after 10 years. RESULTS: At 3 months, 50% of patients were identified as CRT responders according to an increase in LV ejection fraction ≥ 5%. During a follow-up of 109 ± 48 months, 30% of patients died and 6% underwent heart transplantation. Age and history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were found to be predictors of all-cause mortality. CRT responders showed lower risk of death from cardiac causes than non-responders. At follow-up, 38% of patients presented at least one episode of sustained ventricular tachycardia, with a similar percentage between responders and non-responders. CONCLUSION: At long-term follow-up, non-ischemic CRT recipients identified as responders by radionuclide angiography were found to be at lower risk of worsening heart failure death than non-responders. Long-term risk for sustained ventricular arrhythmia was similar between CRT responders and non-responders.
PURPOSE: Relatively few data are available on long-term survival and incidence of ventricular arrhythmias in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) patients. We investigated long-term outcomes of CRT patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy stratified as responders or non-responders according to radionuclide angiography. METHODS: Fifty patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy undergoing CRT were assessed by equilibrium Tc99 radionuclide angiography with bicycle exercise at baseline and after 3 months. Intra- and interventricular dyssynchrony were derived by Fourier phase analysis. Patient clinical outcome was assessed after 10 years. RESULTS: At 3 months, 50% of patients were identified as CRT responders according to an increase in LV ejection fraction ≥ 5%. During a follow-up of 109 ± 48 months, 30% of patients died and 6% underwent heart transplantation. Age and history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were found to be predictors of all-cause mortality. CRT responders showed lower risk of death from cardiac causes than non-responders. At follow-up, 38% of patients presented at least one episode of sustained ventricular tachycardia, with a similar percentage between responders and non-responders. CONCLUSION: At long-term follow-up, non-ischemic CRT recipients identified as responders by radionuclide angiography were found to be at lower risk of worsening heart failure death than non-responders. Long-term risk for sustained ventricular arrhythmia was similar between CRT responders and non-responders.