Page 129 - Simplicity is Key in CRT

ABSTRACT
Aims: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) reduces mortality and morbidity in heart failure (HF) patients with conduction disturbances, a group of patients expected to grow substantially in the coming years. Currently a significant proportion of patients does not fully benefit from CRT. This seems partly caused by substantial heterogeneity of care. The objective of this design paper is to provide a uniform, multidisciplinary approach with structured aids for clinical CRT practice across Europe. This may reassure optimal benefit from CRT for HF patients, and reduce resource utilisation and healthcare costs.
Methods and results: Experienced electrophysiologists and HF cardiologists from 3 European expert centres (Maastricht University Medical Centre, the Netherlands; Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, England; and Rigshospitalet Copenhagen, Denmark) were invited to participate in discussion meetings focused on (1) identifying experienced problems in current clinical CRT care, (2) reviewing current evidence on these problems, and (3) providing simple and broadly applicable aids to solve these problems. This resulted in a consensus CRT care pathway, using a multidisciplinary approach, with concrete aids to provide effective and efficient CRT care.
Conclusion: This paper provides a concrete consensus CRT care pathway with structured aids to be used in daily clinical CRT care based on clinical experience and current evidence. Aiming to assure homogeneous CRT care in Europe, optimizing patient benefit and reducing resource utilisation and healthcare costs.
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