title: Tissue Doppler Imaging in the assessment of selection and response from cardiac resynchronization therapy.
abstract: Mechanistic studies, observational evaluations, and randomized trials have consistently demonstrated the beneficial effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic systolic heart failure and ventricular dyssynchrony who have failed optimal medical treatment. However, despite the promising results, in some patients undergoing CRT, the symptoms of heart failure do not improve or even worse. One of the most important reasons for this failure is probably the lack of distinct mechanical dyssynchrony before implantation. This review discusses the actual and potential role of Tissue Doppler Imaging in selection of patients and optimisation of CRT.
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Department, "La Sapienza" University, Via Lima 35, 00198 Rome, Italy. vitar@tiscali.it
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vitarelli
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Franciosa
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rosanio
mesh_terms: D002037:Bundle-Branch Block / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D018579:Patient Selection