Predictors of Appropriate Defibrillator Therapy Among Patients with an Implantable Defibrillator That Delivers Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

Abstract

In a select population of advanced heart failure patients receiving a CRT-D, NYHA class IV CHF was a powerful independent predictor of appropriate ICD therapy. Approximately one-quarter of the patients with NYHA class IV CHF who received a CRT-D device received an appropriate ICD therapy within 3 months after implant. Additional studies are needed to confirm an association between class IV CHF symptoms and an increased frequency of ICD shocks.