21. Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: Implanting & Clinical Aspects

CRT in patients who have atrial fibrillation (CAF) has not been studied extensively. The aim of the study was to evaluate clinical response and long-term survival rate of CRT in patients who have CAF and compare it to sinus rhythm (SR) patients. Methods 952 patients enrolled in the insync Italian Registries were followed for 21±16 months: at implant 795 pts were in SR, whereas 157 pts were in CAF. Results ![Graphic][1] During follow-up, 153 pts (16%) died for any cause: 115 (14%) in SR group and 38 (24%) in AF group. All-cause mortality rate was 8 per 100 pts/year in SR and 14 in AF (p<0.05). Relative risk: 1.89 (95% CI 1.25 to 2.86; p=0.003) in AF group versus SR group. Conclusions CAF increases long term mortality rate in CRT pts. [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif