Noninvasive imaging (echocardiography, MRI, CT, nuclear) provides valuable information on dyssynchrony, scar tissue, and venous anatomy to select candidates for cardiac resynchronization therapy.
Does noninvasive imaging improve the selection of patients for cardiac resynchronization therapy?
Noninvasive imaging modalities, including echocardiography, MRI, nuclear imaging, and CT, may help identify potential responders to cardiac resynchronization therapy by assessing dyssynchrony, scar tissue, and venous anatomy.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an established therapy for patients with advanced heart failure, depressed left ventricular function, and wide QRS complex. However, individual response varies, and a substantial amount of patients do not respond to CRT. Recent studies observed that assessment of inter- and particularly intraventricular dyssynchrony may allow identification of potential responders to CRT. In addition, presence of scar tissue and venous anatomy may play a role in the selection of candidates. In this review, an extensive overview of the available dyssynchrony measurements is provided using echocardiography as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear imaging. Furthermore, other information derived from MRI, nuclear imaging, and computed tomography useful for the selection of potential candidates for CRT will be discussed.
Ypenburg et al. (2008) conducted a review in Advanced heart failure. Noninvasive imaging was evaluated. Noninvasive imaging (echocardiography, MRI, CT, nuclear) provides valuable information on dyssynchrony, scar tissue, and venous anatomy to select candidates for cardiac resynchronization therapy.