BLOCK-HF: CRT gains new ground

[first paragraph of article] The detrimental effects of chronic right ventricular (RV) pacing were first demonstrated 10 years ago when the DAVID trial clearly demonstrated the hazards of unnecessary RV pacing - including worsening left ventricular (LV) function, increased heart failure hospitalization and increased mortality.  This finding was confirmed in other studies, prompting the development of various device algorithms to ensure that periods of RV pacing are kept at an absolute minimum, with the ultimate aim of preserving LV function. More recently, the 2012 AHA/ACC/HRS and the 2013 ESC/EHRA practice guidelines recommended de novo cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients who had indications for permanent pacing with underlying severe LV dysfunction.