Effects of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy on Cardiovascular and Noncardiovascular Hospitalization: A MADIT‐CRT Long‐Term Follow‐Up

Background Cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillation (CRT‐D) improves outcomes in heart failure. The long‐term impact of CRT‐D on hospitalizations remains unknown. Methods We analyzed the MADIT‐CRT (Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial With Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy) trial post hoc to assess the effects of CRT‐D versus implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) on cardiovascular, heart failure (HF), and noncardiovascular hospitalizations. Hospitalization rates, length of stay, and mortality were compared during extended follow‐up. Results Patients receiving CRT‐D had lower rates of hospitalization compared with ICD (37.9 events per 100 patient‐years versus 44.3 events per 100 patient‐years, P =0.033). Rates of cardiovascular hospitalizations (20.8 versus 28.3 events per 100 patient‐years; P