Efficacy and survival in patients with cardiac contractility modulation: Long-term single center experience in 81 patients

Aims: To analyze long-term efficacy and survival in patients with chronic heart failure treated with cardiac contractility modulation. Methods: 81 patients implanted with a CCM device between 2004 and 2012 were included in this retrospective analysis. Changes in NYHA class, ejection fraction (EF), Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire, NT-proBNP and peak VO2 were analyzed during a mean follow up of 34.2 +/- 28 months (6-123 months). Observed mortality rate was compared with that predicted by the MAGGIC Score. Results: Patients were 61 +/- 12 years old with EF 23 +/- 7%. Heart failure was due to ischemic (n = 48, 59.3%) or idiopathic dilated (n = 33, 40.7%) cardiomyopathy. EF increased from 23.1 +/- 7.9 to 29.4 +/- 8.6% (p < 0.05), mean NT-proBNP decreased from 4395 +/- 3818 to 2762 +/- 3490 ng/l (p