Predictors of appropriate defibrillator therapy among patients with an implantable defibrillator that delivers cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine predictors of appropriate implantable defibrillator (ICD) therapy among patients with heart failure who are treated with a cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D).

Methods And Results: Patients enrolled in the Ventak CHF/Contak CD study were treated with a CRT-D device and were required to have NYHA class II-IV CHF, QRS duration > or = 120 msec, and a class I or II indication for an ICD. The study database was retrospectively analyzed during the 6-month postimplant period to identify predictors of appropriate ICD therapy.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy for the treatment of heart failure in patients with intraventricular conduction delay and malignant ventricular tachyarrhythmias.

Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the safety and effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) when combined with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).

Background: Long-term outcome of CRT was measured in patients with symptomatic heart failure (HF), intraventricular conduction delay, and malignant ventricular tachyarrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation [VT/VF]) requiring therapy from an ICD.

Methods: Patients (n = 490) were implanted with a device capable of providing both CRT and ICD therapy and randomized to CRT (n = 245) or control (no CRT, n = 245) for up to six months.