Cardiac resynchronization therapy for the causal treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: insight from a pressure-volume loop analysis

Eur J Heart Fail. 2010 Jun;12(6):634-6. doi: 10.1093/eurjhf/hfq068. Epub 2010 Apr 30.

Abstract

This case describes a middle-aged patient with normal ejection fraction (64%) and significant dyspnoea which could not be explained by results from routine examinations. A pressure-volume loop analysis revealed severe left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony to be the underlying mechanism of heart failure. The patient underwent implantation of a biventricular pacemaker. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) was associated with an immediate reduction in LV dyssynchrony from 32 to 13%, decrease in LV end-diastolic pressure from 19 to 8 mmHg, and increased exercise tolerance during follow-up. Thus, CRT may be considered a causal therapy in selected patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bundle-Branch Block / therapy*
  • Cardiac Pacing, Artificial*
  • Female
  • Heart Failure / etiology
  • Heart Failure / physiopathology*
  • Heart Failure / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Stroke Volume
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / therapy*