Cardiac resynchronization therapy has better survival than ICD in eligible elderly patients: JACC study

Survival rates were higher among patients undergoing CRT-D implantation compared with ICD implantation in the older cohorts (ages 75-84 and ≥85), but not in the younger cohort (ages 65-74).

Notably, HF hospitalization was less frequent among beneficiaries receiving CRT-D implantation compared with ICD implantation in the oldest cohort (≥85+ years) but not in the younger cohorts.

Finally, procedure-related complications were frequent, occurring in 15% to 20% of patients, but serious complications resulting in predischarge death were infrequent.

This study is an important addition to the literature on comparative outcomes between CRT-D and ICD therapy in an elderly cohort. In contrast to most large published clinical trials of CRT, the average age in this cohort (76 years) was significantly older.

Although the reason for this observed difference is not entirely clear but since an ICD reduces risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) caused by an arrhythmic etiology, whereas CRT-D improves quality of life and reduces mortality from either SCD or HF and thus may have generated better outcomes.

"This approach (preferring ICD for elderly eligible for CRT) is not supported by the study findings: ICD implantation rather than CRT-D was associated with worse short- and long-term outcomes and there appeared to be little if any increased risk of procedure-related complications among those undergoing CRT-D compared with ICD across age groups", note Atwater et al in an accompanying editorial.

Source: JACC Clinical Electrophysiology:

1. DOI: 10.1016/j.jchf.2021.10.012

2. DOI: 10.1016/j.jchf.2021.12.002