Endothelial dysfunction and glycocalyx shedding in heart failure: insights from patients receiving cardiac resynchronisation therapy.

To determine (a) whether chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is associated with increased glycocalyx shedding; (b) whether glycocalyx shedding in HFrEF with left ventricular dyssynchrony is related to inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and/or redox stress and is ameliorated by cardiac resynchronisation therapy. Glycocalyx shedding has been reported to be increased in heart failure and is a marker of increased mortality. Its role in dyssynchronous systolic heart failure and the effects of cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) are largely unknown.

Electrical remodelling post cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with ischemic and non-ischemic heart failure.

Background: The beneficial effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in heart failure are largely considered to be due to improved mechanical contractility. The contributory role of electrical remodelling is less clear. We sought to evaluate the impact of electrical remodelling in these patients.

Does cardiac resynchronization therapy restore peripheral circulatory homeostasis?

Aims: To evaluate whether peripheral circulatory 'remodelling' as measured by changes in vascular compliance and in markers of nitric oxide signalling contributes to patient response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Methods And Results: Effects of CRT were evaluated in 33 patients pre-procedure and 6 months post-procedure. Peak oxygen consumption, 6 min walk distance, New York Heart Association class, and quality of life score were evaluated.