title: [Echocardiography in cardiac resynchronization therapy: identification of suitable patients, follow-up and therapy optimization].
abstract: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with biventricular stimulation is a new therapeutic option for patients with advanced heart failure and left ventricular asynchrony. The presence of a left bundle branch block morphology in the electrocardiogram is presently the most important selection criterion. Transthoracic echocardiography provides important additional information on the ventricular contraction sequence and the hemodynamic consequences of asynchrony. This may help to identify suitable patients, to improve the selection criteria and to optimize CRT during follow-up. This article discusses the potential techniques and limitations and provides practical guidance for the individual patient follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik I, Universitätsklinikum, Aachen. olebreithardt@gmx.de
authors.forename: Ole-Alexander
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Breithardt
authors.forename: Anil Martin
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Franke
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hanrath
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stellbrink
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002037:Bundle-Branch Block / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D002306:Cardiac Volume; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D003971:Diastole; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D018579:Patient Selection; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013997:Time Factors; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left