Initial experience with cardiac resynchronization therapy for ventricular dysfunction in young patients with surgically operated congenital heart disease

Data regarding cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in pediatric patients are limited. The first reported use of CRT in a young patient with congenital heart disease showed promising early results with improvement in New York Heart Association classification, aerobic capacity, and ventricular contractility 1 month after implant.(1) Other reports have shown acute benefits of CRT in young patients with postoperative right bundle branch block after surgery for congenital heart defects.(2-4) To date, however, there are no published data regarding CRT for the long-term management of systemic ventricular dysfunction in the young with associated congenital heart disease. This report describes our initial experience with CRT in these patients. (C) 2004 by Excerpta Medical, Inc.