Cardiac Resynchronization for CHF Patients with Intraventricular Conduction Delay

Cardiac-resynchronization therapy delivered via atrial-synchronous biventricular pacing is a promising new therapy for patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and intraventricular conduction delay. Previous studies of this therapy have demonstrated improvements in quality of life and exercise capacity but have been limited by uncontrolled or poorly controlled designs.

The MUSTIC study, supported in part by 2 manufacturers of atrial-synchronous biventricular pacemakers, was a European, multicenter, single-blind, randomized, controlled crossover trial of cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with NYHA class III left ventricular systolic heart failure, normal sinus rhythm, and QRS durations of more than 150 ms. MUSTIC patients were…