scholarly journals Echocardiographic Parameters as Predictors for the Efficiency of Resynchronization Therapy in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy and HFrEF

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Silvius-Alexandru Pescariu ◽  
Raluca Şoşdean ◽  
Cristina Tudoran ◽  
Adina Ionac ◽  
Gheorghe Nicusor Pop ◽  
...  

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) represents an increasingly recommended solution to alleviate symptomatology and improve the quality of life in individuals with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy (OMT). However, this therapy does have the desired results all cases, in that sometimes low sensing and high voltage stimulation are needed to obtain some degree of resynchronization, even in the case of perfectly placed cardiac pacing leads. Our study aims to identify whether there is a relationship between several transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) parameters characterizing left ventricular (LV) performance, especially strain results, and sensing and pacing parameters. Between 2020–2021, CRT was performed to treat persistent symptoms in 48 patients with a mean age of 64 (53.25–70) years, who were diagnosed with DCM and HFrEF, and who were still symptomatic despite OMT. We documented statistically significant correlations between global longitudinal strain, posterolateral strain, and ejection fraction and LV sensing (r = 0.65, 0.469, and 0.534, respectively, p < 0.001) and LV pacing parameters (r = −0.567, −0.555, and −0.363, respectively, p < 0.001). Modern imaging techniques, such as TTE with cardiac strain, are contributing to the evaluation of patients with HFrEF, increasing the chances of CRT success, and allowing physicians to anticipate and plan for case management.

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Gravellone ◽  
G Dell' Era ◽  
F De Vecchi ◽  
E Boggio ◽  
E Prenna ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an established treatment for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, one third of patients are “non responders”. Cathodic-anodal (CA) left ventricle (LV) capture is a multisite pacing occurring during CRT using both bipolar and quadripolar LV lead. It allows depolarization to arise simultaneously from the cathode and the anode of the bipole located on the LV epicardium, activating a larger volume of myocardium than cathodal pacing alone, thus potentially improving electromechanical synchrony (figure 1). We have previously proven that CA-LV stimulation is feasible and similar to bicathodic multipoint pacing (MPP) in terms of QRS wavefront activation. Purpose We aimed to evaluate both the acute intraprocedural haemodynamic and electrical effects of CA biventricular stimulation (CA-BS), comparing it with right-ventricle only pacing (Right Ventricle-Stimulation: RV-S), single-point CRT (Single Point-Biventricular Stimulation: SP-BS) and multipoint bicathodic biventricular stimulation (Multi Point-Biventricular Stimulation:MP-BS) in de novo CRT implants. Methods Ten patients candidates to CRT (LV ejection fraction ≤35% and left bundle branch block) received a quadripolar LV lead. Four pacing configurations were tested: RV-S, SP-BS, MP-BS and CA-BS, where cathode and the anode were the same electrodes used as cathodes in MP-BS. QRS duration by 12-lead ECG was defined as the time from the earliest ventricular deflection until the return to the isoelectric line. Haemodynamic assessment by radial artery catheterization using Pressure Recording Analytical Method processed the following parameters: dP/dT max (mmHg/msec), systolic arterial pressure (aPsys, mmHg), diastolic arterial pressure (aPdia, mmHg), mean arterial pressure (aPmean, mmHg), Cardiac Index (CI, l/min/m2), Stroke Volume Index (SVI, ml/min/m2). Results dP/dT max and aPmean increased significantly from RV-S to SP-BS (mean dP/dT max 0,82±0,28 versus 0,87±0,29 mmHg/msec, p=0,02; mean aPmean 89±19 versus 93±20 mmHg, p=0,01), but not from RV-S to MP-BS. Comparing RV-S to CA-BS, only aPmean exhibited a significant increase (mean aPmean 89±19 versus 92±20 mmHg, p=0,01). There were no haemodynamic differences between SP-BS, MP-BS and CA-BS. QRS duration reduced significantly from RV-S (167±10 msec) to each biventricular stimulation (135±14 msec, p=0,0002 for SP-BS; 130±17 msec, p=0,0001 for MP-BS; 129±18 msec, p=0,0002 for CA-BS) and from SP-BS to MP-BS and CA-BS (p=0,03 for both), whereas there were no difference comparing MP-BS and CA-BS. Conclusions CA-LV stimulation is not superior to single-point CRT in terms of acute haemodynamic performance, whereas it reduces the duration of ventricular electrical activation, showing an electrohaemodynamic mismatch. Long-term studies are needed to evaluate if acute electrical benefits of CA stimulation can predict chronic benefits, in terms of reverse cardiac remodelling. Cathodic-anodal left ventricular capture Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amira Zaroui ◽  
Patricia Reant ◽  
Erwan Donal ◽  
Aude Mignot ◽  
Pierre Bordachar ◽  
...  

In some patients, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been recently shown to induce a spectacular effect on left ventricular (LV) function and inverted remodeling with nearby normalization of LV contraction. Objectives: To analyze and characterize super-responders (CRTSR) by echocardiography before CRT. 186 patients have been investigated before and 6 months after implantation of a CRT device with conventional indication according to ESC guidelines. Echocardiographies including measurements of LV dimensions, and contraction by 2-dimensional strain, and pressure assessment, mitral valve analysis were performed at baseline and at 6 months in an independent core-center lab. CRTSR were defined as a reduction of end-systolic volume of at least 15% and an ejection fraction (EF)>50% and were compared to normal responder patients (CRTNo, patients with a reduction of end-systolic volume of at least 15% but an EF <50%). 17/186 patients (9.1%) were identified as CRTSR, only 2 with ischemic cardiomyopathy (p<0.01). No difference was observed regarding NYHA status, EKG duration or EF between CRTSR and CRTNo at baseline. CRTSR presented with significant lower end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters (64±9mm vs 73±9mm (p<0.01) and 53±7.4mm vs 63±8.4mm (p<0.01), respectively), and end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes 161±44ml vs 210±76ml (p<0.02) and 123±43ml vs 163±69ml (p<0.01)) as well as a higher LV dP/dt max (714±251mmHg.s −1 vs 527±188 mmHg.s −1 (p<0.05)). Regarding strain analysis, CRTSR had significantly higher longitudinal values than CRTNo (−12.8±3% vs −9±2.6%, p<0.001) whereas no difference was observed for other components (p ns). Global longitudinal strain obtained by ROC curves was identified as the best parameter for predicting CRTSR with a cut-off value of −11% (Se=80%, Spe=87%, AUC=0.89, p<0.002) and was confirmed as an independent predictor by the logistic regression (RR: 21.3, p<0.0001). In a large multicenter study, CRT super-responders (EF>50%) were observed in 9% of the population and were associated with less-depressed LV function as determined by strain analysis. Global longitudinal strain appears to be the best predictor of CRTSR.


Author(s):  
R. V. Buriak ◽  
K. V. Rudenko ◽  
O. A. Krykunov

Congestive heart failure resulting from non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) with secondary functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is associated with poor prognosis. Medical treatment results in a 1-year survival of 52% to 87% and a 5-year survival of 22% to 54%, with highest survivals observed in more recent years, probably reflecting improvements in medical therapy. Non-surgical interventions involve cardiac resynchronization therapy. In addition to medical treatment, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) should be considered in patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II– IV HF, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) =35%, normal sinus rhythm and left bundle branch block with QRS >150 ms. In these patients, CRT can also facilitate left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling and reduce associated FMR. The aim of this study was to investigate the features of symptomatology and to analyze the risk factors for acute heart failure (AHF) in patients with DCM and persistent severe functional mitral regurgitation despite CRT and optimal guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT). Materials and methods. After providing informed consent, 144 patients with severe FMR were involved in the study. Concomitant tricuspid valve regurgitation was registered in 142 (98.6%) cases. The median LVEF was 27.0 (23.0-31.6)%. 40 (27.8%) patients had a permanent form of atrial fibrillation, and 24 (16.7%) patients had a first-degree atrioventricular node block. The median NT-proBNP was 2600 (2133-3200) pg/ml, indicating the presence of severe chronic heart failure. Results. The median term after CRT device implantation was 36 (3.5-60) months. A comparative analysis between DCM patients with and without CRT revealed statistically significant differences between clinical characteristics, namely: age (p=0.020), lower heart rate (p=0.004), lower hemoglobin (p=0.017), higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (p=0.000) and more frequent AHF at the hospital stage (p=0.030). The incidence of AHF at the hospital stage was 13.8% in patients with CRT and 3.5% in those without CRT. The calculated odds ratio of AHF was 4.44 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.039-18.971), and the relative risk of AHF was 3.966 (95% CI 1.054-14.915). Discussion. FMR has been reported to persist in about 20% to 25% of CRT patients and, in an additional 10% to 15%, it may actually worsen after CRT. In this subset of CRT non-responders, reduced reverse remodeling, increased morbidity, and increased mortality have been reported compared with CRT patients in whom FMR was significantly reduced or abolished. Conclusions. The results of our study demonstrate that severe functional mitral regurgitation despite cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy is a significant risk factor for AHF and subsequent hospitalizations for heart failure.


Author(s):  
Marta Sitges ◽  
Genevieve Derumeaux

Cardiac imaging techniques have an important role in the follow-up of patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) as they provide objective evidence of changes in cardiac dimensions and function. The role of echocardiography is well established in the assessment of left ventricular reverse remodelling and the evaluation of secondary (functional) mitral regurgitation. Additionally, echocardiography might be used for optimizing the programming of atrio-ventricular (AV) and inter-ventricular (VV) delays of current CRT devices. Acute benefits from this optimization have been demonstrated, but longer follow-up studies have failed to show a clear benefit of optimized CRT on top of simultaneous biventricular pacing on the outcome of patients with CRT. This chapter reviews the role of imaging in assessing follow-up and outcome of patients undergoing CRT, as well as the rationale, the methods used, and the clinical impact of optimization of the programming of CRT devices.


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