Abstract 14249: Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Cancer Patients With Heart Failure

Abstract

Introduction: Heart failure is associated with poor clinical outcomes in cancer patients. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) provides a therapeutic avenue to improve left ventricular function and decrease symptoms. Historically, CRT has been underutilized in cancer patients. We assessed the hypothesis that cancer patients have a similar response to cardiac resynchronization therapy as the general heart failure population. Methods: This study included 37 patients with cancer who underwent CRT implantation between 2012 and 2020. The primary endpoints were response to CRT as measured by an improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by >=10% or decrease in left ventricular end systolic volume index (LVESVi) by >=15% over 3 to 24 months. Secondary endpoints were change in LVEF, LVESVi, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class. Results: Of 37 patients, primary and secondary endpoints were available for 34 patients (mean [SD] age, 68 [9] years; 24 men (71%); 26 nonischemic cardiomyopathy (76%), 8 ischemic (24%); mean QRSd 152 ms; 10 patients with NYHA II symptoms (29%), 24 NYHA III (71%)). 20 patients met the primary endpoint (65% [46%-80%]). This response rate is not significantly different than published response rates to CRT of 70% in the general heart failure population. The average improvement in LVEF was 12.9% ([9.4%-16.4%], p<0.001). The average decrease in LVESVi was 25.4% ([17.2%-33.5%], p<0.001). 23 of 34 patients had an improvement in NYHA classification (20 by one class, 3 by two), whereas 9 patients had no improvement and 2 patients had worsening symptoms (mean improvement 0.7 [0.46-0.96], p<0.001). 2 of 37 patients had a complication (one late device infection, one right atrial lead dislodgment requiring reimplantation). 4 of 37 patients (10.8%) died within 12 months of primary oncologic cause. 4 of 34 (11.7%) CRT-D patients had received appropriate therapies on device interrogation at time of submission. Conclusions: CRT improves left ventricular function, reverses left ventricular remodeling, and improves exertional dyspnea in patients with cancer. Response rate is similar to that of a general heart failure population. Oncologic prognoses of over 12 months life expectancy at time of implant were reasonably accurate.