eMJA: Expanding indications for pacing in chronic heart failure

Editorials

Expanding indications for pacing in chronic heart failure

Henry Krum and Prashanthan Sanders

MJA 2009; 190 (9): 470-471

Do you have patients who could benefit from therapeutic pacing and defibrillator devices?

In recent years, management of chronic heart failure has advanced considerably, especially the optimisation of key pharmacological strategies (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, β-blockers) and multimodal management. In parallel, there has been a quieter revolution: the use of therapeutic pacing and defibrillator devices in patients with heart failure has moved from experimental and clinical research to everyday clinical practice. Milestones include landmark trials establishing the definitive mortality benefit of implantable defibrillators in ischaemic cardiomyopathy,1 the clinical utility of electronically synchronising contraction of both ventricles,2 and mortality benefits of cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT).3 Nonetheless, therapeutic pacing and defibrillator devices appear to be underutilised,4 perhaps due to lack of awareness of their clinical benefits and concerns regarding cost.

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