Arrhythmia frequency and number of appropriate ICD treatments were reduced after upgrade to CRT-ICD for HF treatment. Thus, apart from hemodynamic benefits, CRT may also ameliorate ventricular tachyarrhythmia susceptibility in HF patients.

The findings in this study, although necessarily limited in their interpretation by the absence of treatment randomization, suggest that biventricular ICDs offer a survival benefit compared to biventricular pacing alone. Furthermore, this benefit may be most apparent if other clinical factors do not preclude patient survival >1 year postimplant.

Our findings support the view that CRT might decrease AT susceptibility in HF patients with LV systolic dysfunction.

In terms of reversing potentially life-threatening arrhythmias, the rationale for ICD therapy is comparable in older and younger individuals.

No abstract