In this article, we will discuss the Role of Antiarrhythmic and assist device therapy and Biventricular pacing in Heart Failure. So, let’s get started.
Antiarrhythmic and assist device therapy: Because patients with heart failure have frequent and complex ventricular arrhythmias, and being at high risk of sudden death, may require antiarrhythmics therapy (amiodarone, dafetilide) for their suppression, but recent recommendation is to use them only in life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia refractory to treatment in hemodynamically stable patients. The results of use of a device implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in treating recurrent VT / VF in patients with heart failure are promising in clinical trials, in cardiac arrest survivors and high-risk post infarction patients, but at present there is little evidence that ICD placement prevent sudden death or prolongs life in patients with chronic heart failure who have asymptomatic arrhythmias.
Biventricular pacing: Although pharmacotherapy is the primary therapy for patients with heart failure, the use of ventricular pacemakers (cardiac resynchronization) to improve cardiac hemodynamics is well documented. Despite promising initial results, controlled studies have not verified the benefits of dual-chamber pacing in a non-selected population of severely symptomatic congestive heart failure.