OBJECTIVE: To analyze the evolution and prognostic influence of the cardiac troponin I serum levels in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) submitted to interventricular resynchronization (VR) over a 59-month follow-up period. METHOD: Thirty-three patients with idiopathic dilated myocardiopathy in NYHA functional classes III and IV were submitted to VR. The pre- and post-operative quality of life (QV) was analyzed using the Minnesota Code and the left ventricle function was assessed by echocardiography. The cardiac troponin I levels were compared in 23 patients utilizing the Fisher exact test to analyze the correlation with death and the Kaplan-Meier curve was used to analyze the survival rate. RESULTS: The QV was better after VR with a median of 73 points in the pre-operative period and 36 in the postoperative period (p-value < 0.0001). The left ventricle diastolic diameter (LVDD) reduced from 65 mm in the preoperative period to 60 mm in the postoperative period (p-value = 0.0014) with an increase in the ejection fraction from 37 to 47% (p-value = 0.0004). In 15 patients with normal cardiac troponin I levels, no deaths occurred and of the 8 patients with high levels, six died (p-value = 0.0003). The actuarial survival curve showed a survival rate of 47.1 ± 13.3% at the end of 59 months. CONCLUSION: VR in patients with CHF improves the QV and echocardiographic parameters (ejection fraction and LVDD). It is a good alternative for functional class III and IV patients. The serum levels of cardiac troponin I are predictors of risk to life.
Troponin; Arrhythmia; Heart failure; Pacemaker
