Biventricular pacing for weaning from extracorporeal circulation in heart failure

Resynchronization of the intra- and interventricular conduction by biventricular pacing has been suggested in patients with end-stage heart failure. We present a case in which extracorporeal circulation could only be weaned after placement of an additional left ventricular pacing wire. Biventricular stimulation led to normal motion of the anterior wall and a previously bulging interventricular septum; this improved the hemodynamic situation significantly.