Background: Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) is an established treatment for selected patients with symptomatic left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. Heart failure (HF) is primarily a disease of the elderly; however, these patients are underrepresented in CRT trials. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of age on clinical outcomes following CRT. Methods: A consecutive series of 177 patients was identified and divided into those aged ≤75 years (n = 131, mean ± SD 62.1 ± 11.2 years) and those aged >75 years (n = 46, mean ± SD 80.7 ± 4.1 years). The primary end point was a composite of all-cause mortality or HF hospitalisation. Results: During a median ± IQR follow up of 28.5 ± 33.7 months, the event rate for the primary end point was significantly higher in the elderly compared to younger patients (20.1 vs. 11.1 , respectively, logrank p = 0.020). This was mainly driven by an excess mortality rate among those aged >75 years (10 vs. 4.7 , respectively, logrank p = 0.018) whereas HF hospitalisation rates were similar between groups (10 vs. 6.4 , respectively, logrank p = 0.301). After adjusting for comorbidities and ICD status, the difference in the composite end point rates was attenuated and no longer significant (HR 1.580, 95 CI 0.899-2.778; p = 0.112 for >75 vs. ≤75 years). Notably, both groups demonstrated similar response rates to CRT in terms of symptomatic improvement, reverse LV remodelling and neurohormonal activation. Conclusions: CRT is equally effective in the elderly as in younger patients to reduce adverse clinical outcomes. For those who fulfil the prerequisite selection criteria, it should be considered as a valid therapeutic option.
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