Cardiac Resynchronisation Study

AIM To investigate the effect of Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy (CRT) on chemosensitivity in patients with Chronic Heart Failure with and without Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB).

OBJECTIVE To conduct a physiological observational study to measure hypercapnic ventilatory responses in a group of CHF patients before and 3 months after implantation of clinically indicated CRT devices. Additionally to conduct nocturnal polysomnography to establish if any change in chemosensitivity is related to the presence of SDB at baseline and, where present, any change in SDB after implantation.

HYPOTHESIS Primary hypothesis: CRT implantation will be associated with a reduction in the hypercapnic ventilatory response from baseline to 3 months post implantation.

Additional hypothesis: This reduction in hypercapnic ventilatory response after CRT implantation will be greatest in those CHF patients with SDB at baseline.

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥18 years old
• Fulfil the current guidance for the implantation of a CRT device; optimal medical treatment for heart failure, broad QRS complex on electrocardiogram with or without evidence of cardiac dyssynchrony as appropriate, LVEF <35%, functional impairment as defined by an NYHA class of III-IV
• Clinically stable with no unplanned admission to hospital for preceding 4 weeks
• No changes in medications for heart failure in preceding 4 weeks
• Able to read and understand patient information sheet and give informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• On positive pressure treatment for known sleep disordered breathing at the time of inclusion
• Other known condition (untreated) likely to significantly disturb sleep eg. Restless legs syndrome, pain from any cause etc.
• Pregnancy