Long-term performance of modern coronary sinus leads in cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has become an important pillar of contemporary heart failure therapy. The efficacy of CRT, however, critically relies on proper LV lead placement and performance, which is why data regarding the long-term performance of CS leads are of considerable interest. Available studies are limited by a restricted variety of lead vendors, earlier lead models and / or very short follow-up periods.

Characteristics and long-term outcome of echocardiographic super-responders to cardiac resynchronisation therapy: 'real world' experience from a single tertiary care centre.

Background: The individual benefit from cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) varies largely among patients.

Aims: To compare different definitions of echocardiographic super-response to CRT regarding their ability to predict the incidence of adverse events.

Methods: Three definitions of super-response to CRT were evaluated in 110 consecutive patients with CRT implantation: (1) an absolute increase in ejection fraction of ≥ 10%; (2) a decrease in left ventricular end-systolic volume of ≥ 30%; and (3) a decrease in left ventricular end-diastolic volume of ≥ 20%.