Cardiac resynchronization therapy for the treatment of heart failure.

Heart failure is posing an increasing burden on healthcare systems around the world, a consequence of increased survival from acute coronary syndromes and life-prolonging medications. Cardiac resynchronization therapy has become a ratified and established therapy for heart failure to reduce both the morbidity and mortality of the condition. Its prophylactic role in patients who have minimal symptoms to delay future deterioration is a novel development. The indications for this therapy continue to evolve, mainly as a result of company-sponsored multicenter trial data aimed at broadening its usage. Uncertainty remains on how to accurately identify individuals who will respond to resynchronization therapy and how best to manage patients following device implant.