Tissue Doppler imaging as a guide to resynchronization therapy in patients with congestive heart failure.
OBJECTIVE
Cardiac resynchronization therapy is a nonpharmacological treatment option in patients with heart failure and left bundle branch block but response rates are still disappointing.


RESULTS
Extent of mechanical left ventricular asynchrony as detected by tissue Doppler imaging has emerged as an independent predictor of outcome to CRT. In addition, long-term therapy delivery may be further improved through optimized lead positioning and pacemaker programming.


CONCLUSIONS
Tissue Doppler imaging should be included in the evaluation of potential CRT candidates but standardized evaluation criteria have not yet been provided.
Søgaard
Peter
P
Department of Cardiology P, University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. psogaard@dadlnet.dk
Hassager
Christian
C
D002037:Bundle-Branch Block / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D013599:Systole; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy