The European cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) Survey is a joint initiative taken by the Heart Failure Association (HFA) and European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) of the European Society of Cardiology. Its primary objective is to describe current European practice and routines associated with the implantation of a CRT device with or without an ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) capability in patients with heart failure.
The data collected from the survey provide useful information in CRT for heart failure on patient demographics and selection, clinical characteristics, diagnostic criteria, implantation routines and techniques, short-term outcomes, adverse experience, and assessment of adherence to guideline recommendations. These data should be useful for benchmarking individual patient management and national practice against wider experience. The data from randomised trials of CRT are limited and based largely on selected patients at high-volume centres with experienced operators. In contrast, the European CRT Survey describes current routine practice in CRT implantation based on a wide range of sampling.
Data were collected between 1st November 2008 and 30th June 2009 from 140 volunteer centres in 13 countries (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK). Information was provided on consecutive patients successfully implanted with a CRT device with or without an ICD (CRT-P, CRT-D). All patients agreeing to participate will have a follow-up visit approximately one-year after CRT implantation.
Findings
The survey enrolled 2438 patients, with a mean age of 68 years (31% were 75 years or older). There are characteristic differences between those receiving CRT-P and CRT-D; the reasons are many, but it is clear that demographic and economic factors play a part. However, the Survey data show that younger patients, men and those with ischaemic aetiology are more likely to receive a CRT-D device.