Chapters authored
Echocardiography and Other Noninvasive Imaging Techniques in the Selection and Management of Patients with Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Cardiac resynchronization therapy has become a widely used procedure for the treatment of patients with heart failure and severely impaired systolic function who associate left bundle branch block and remain symptomatic, in New York Heart Association II to IV functional class, despite maximum tolerated medical therapy. Imaging evaluation of these patients is complex, aiming to provide an accurate and extensive assessment before and after implantation, although a standardized protocol is yet to be implemented. Extensive research has been conducted to assess the ability of different imaging techniques and parameters to identify and quantify mechanical dyssynchrony, assess myocardial remodeling, provide prognostic information, or help guide lead placement and pacing parameters optimization in this category of patients. For these purposes, ultrasound-based imaging techniques, as well as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, multislice cardiac computed tomography and nuclear ventriculography have been and are currently used, for research, as well as for clinical purposes. The aim of the current paper was to provide some insights into the imaging assessment of candidates and patients who have undergone cardiac resynchronization therapy.
Part of the book: Echocardiography in Heart Failure and Cardiac Electrophysiology