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Cardiac resynchronization therapy and cardiac sympathetic function
Author(s) -
Martignani Cristian,
Diemberger Igor,
Nanni Cristina,
Biffi Mauro,
Ziacchi Matteo,
Boschi Stefano,
Corzani Alessandro,
Fanti Stefano,
Sambuceti Gianmario,
Boriani Giuseppe
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
european journal of clinical investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.164
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1365-2362
pISSN - 0014-2972
DOI - 10.1111/eci.12471
Subject(s) - cardiac resynchronization therapy , medicine , cardiology , heart failure , dilated cardiomyopathy , sympathetic nervous system , cardiomyopathy , positron emission tomography , cardiac function curve , radiology , ejection fraction , blood pressure
Abstract Background Cardiac resynchronization therapy ( CRT ) is an established therapy for advanced congestive heart failure, improving both survival and hospitalization. The mechanism beneath these improvements still needs to be defined as about one‐third of the patients do not benefit from resynchronization. Restoration of sympatho‐vagal function can play a significant role in the process, but available data are limited. In this scenario, positron emission tomography scans with 11 C‐hydroxyephedrine, a noradrenaline analogous, has the potential to characterize the modifications of the sympathetic nervous system induced by CRT in decompensated patients. Materials and methods Ten patients (six males, age 68 ± 10 years) with primary dilated cardiomyopathy were studied before and after resynchronization (acutely and after 3 months), from a clinical and echocardiographic point of view. Their cardiac sympathetic nerve activity was evaluated by 11 C‐hydroxyephedrine positron emission tomography before resynchronization, at short and medium term after resynchronization. Results Responders to CRT (patients showing ≥ 15% decrease in left ventricular end‐systolic volume) showed a higher level of left ventricular radiotracer uptake both at baseline and after resynchronization with respect to nonresponders. This was coupled with a progressive improvement in homogeneity in left ventricular tracer uptake mainly in responders. Conclusions Cardiac resynchronization therapy improves cardiac sympathetic nerve activity in responders since its activation, while nonresponders do not show any significant change at any time of evaluation. CRT seems to be more effective in those patients with a still structurally preserved, yet functionally impaired, neuroautonomic system.