Abstract
Background
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) reduces morbidity and mortality in selected patients with heart failure (HF) and electrical dyssynchrony. The median age for patients included in the CRT landmark trials ranged from 62–68 years, therefore limited trial evidence exists on CRT in patients ≥75 years of age.
Purpose
To assess similarities and differences in patient demographics and implantation practice in different age groups implanted with a CRT device.
Methods
Between 2015 and 2017, two European Society of Cardiology (ESC) associations, European Heath Rhythm Society and the Heart Failure Association, conducted the CRT Survey II, a survey of CRT implantations in 11,088 patients in 42 ESC member states.
Results
In our survey 32% of patients included were ≥75 years of age. These patients were more frequently in NYHA Class III or IV, had more comorbidity (including hypertension, atrial fibrillation, anaemia and renal dysfunction) and had significantly higher NT-pro BNP levels than younger patients. Slightly fewer patients ≥75 years of age had LBBB but all groups had the same median QRS duration. Despite substantially more patients ≥75 years of age having HF of ischaemic aetiology compared with those <65 year of age, far fewer patients in oldest age group category were implanted with a CRT-defibrillator (CRT-D) compared with those in the youngest group.
CRT Survey II Patients by Age Categories Demographics Age <65 years Age 65–74 years Age ≥75 years N 3478 (32%) 4025 (36%) 3536 (32%) NYHA class III & IV 52% 59% 66%* Ischaemic HF aetiology 33% 49% 50%* Atrial fibrillation 17% 27% 33* NT proBNP (pg/ml, median, IQR) 1651 (670, 3811) 2319 (1070, 5169) 3510 (1647, 7631)* CRT-D 81% 76% 52%* Peri-procedural complications 5% 6% 6% Adverse Events during hospitalization 4% 5% 5% CRT-D, Cardiac resynchronization therapy – defibrillator; HF, heart failure; IQR, interquartile range. *Differences between groups is significant with p<0.001.
Conclusions
Patients ≥75 years of age had greater comorbidity and experienced more symptoms from their heart failure. However, they did not suffer more complications or adverse events during the index hospitalization, suggesting that CRT may safely be offered to elderly patients.
Acknowledgement/Funding
The work was supported by EHRA, the HFA, Biotronik, Boston Scientific, Medtronic, Sorin, St. Jude, Abbott, Bayer, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Servier
How many patients need cardiac resynchronization therapy?The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those of the Editors of the European Heart Journal or of the European Society of Cardiology.