Biventricular pacing as alternative therapy for dilated cardiomyopathy associated with congenital heart disease

Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2001 Feb;24(2):235-7. doi: 10.1046/j.1460-9592.2001.00235.x.

Abstract

Biventricular, alternative, and multisite pacing are currently being explored to improve cardiac function among patients with medically refractory, end-stage dilated cardiomyopathies. Although, due to inherent myocardial abnormalities, patients with repaired congenital heart defects may be at a greater risk than others to develop heart failure, often requiring cardiac transplantation. The efficacy of biventricular pacing among these patients is unknown. This report presents a patient with successfully repaired congenital heart disease in infancy who developed a symptomatic dilated cardiomyopathy at 22 years of age. Following biventricular pacing, systemic ventricular function showed a 14% improvement in ventricular dP/dt. One month later, subjective symptoms improved and cardiac ultrasound illustrated a 125% increase in fractional area of change. Exercise stress testing showed a 17% improvement in aerobic work capacity.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / methods
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / diagnosis
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / etiology*
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / therapy*
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / complications*
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pacemaker, Artificial*