Association of biventricular resynchronizer and implantable cardioverter defibrillator

Congestive heart failure (HF) remains a major and growing public health problem despite recent therapeutical developments. Thirty to sixty percent of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) die suddenly from cardiac arrhythmias. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy are effective treatments for HF with a wide QRS and for ventricular arrhythmias respectively. Several trials are currently being performer to evaluate the cardiac resynchronization and implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy with good results. The objective of this paper is to report the first three patients, in Mexico, that have received this combined therapy. In one patient, a three cameral pacemaker was associated with a unicameral ICD and the other two received a device with both functions. Patients were men, aged 63, 65, and 54 years, two of them with previous myocardial infarct and functional class II to IV of the NYHA. Left ventricular ejection fraction was of 25% in two patients and of 35% in the other. All patients improved their functional class and LVFE, two patients presented discharges of the ICD.