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Comparative Effectiveness of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy With an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Versus Defibrillator Therapy Alone ANNALS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE Masoudi, F. A., Mi, X., Curtis, L. H., Peterson, P. N., Curtis, J. P., Fonarow, G. C., Hammill, S. C., Heidenreich, P. A., Al-Khatib, S. M., Piccini, J. P., Qualls, L. G., Hernandez, A. F. 2014; 160 (9): 603-U148

Abstract

Trials comparing implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy with cardiac resynchronization therapy with a defibrillator (CRT-D) are limited to selected patients treated at centers with extensive experience.To compare outcomes after CRT-D versus ICD therapy in contemporary practice.Retrospective cohort study using the National Cardiovascular Data Registry's ICD Registry linked with Medicare claims.780 U.S. hospitals implanting both CRT-D and ICD devices.7090 propensity-matched patients older than 65 years with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (<0.35) and prolonged QRS duration on electrocardiography (=120 ms) having CRT-D or ICD implantation between 1 April 2006 and 31 December 2009.Risks for death, readmission, and device-related complications over 3 years.Compared with ICD therapy, CRT-D was associated with lower risks for mortality (cumulative incidence, 25.7% vs. 29.8%; adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.82 [99% CI, 0.73 to 0.93]), all-cause readmission (cumulative incidence, 68.6% vs. 72.8%; adjusted HR, 0.86 [CI, 0.81 to 0.93]), cardiovascular readmission (cumulative incidence, 45.0% vs. 52.4%; adjusted HR, 0.80 [CI, 0.73 to 0.88]), and heart failure readmission (cumulative incidence, 24.3% vs. 29.4%; adjusted HR, 0.78 [CI, 0.69 to 0.88]). It was also associated with greater risks for device-related infection (cumulative incidence, 1.9% vs. 1.0%; adjusted HR, 1.90 [CI, 1.07 to 3.37]). The lower risks for heart failure readmission associated with CRT-D compared with ICD therapy were most pronounced among patients with left bundle branch block or a QRS duration at least 150 ms and in women.Patients were not randomly assigned to treatment groups, and few patients could be propensity-matched. The findings may not extend to younger patients or those outside of fee-for-service Medicare.In older patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and prolonged QRS duration, CRT-D was associated with lower risks for death and readmission than ICD therapy alone.Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

View details for Web of Science ID 000336524400003