LV cathode position in CRT recipients: How can we benefit from CMR?

Background: Left ventricular lead positioning represents a key step in CRT optimization. However, evidence for its guidance based on specific topographical factors and related imaging techniques is sparse.

Objective: To analyze reverse remodeling (RR) and clinical events in CRT recipients based on LV cathode (LVC) position relative to latest mechanical activation (LMA) and scar as determined by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR).

Stimulus-effect relations for left ventricular growth obtained with a simple multi-scale model: the influence of hemodynamic feedback.

Cardiac growth is an important mechanism for the human body to respond to changes in blood flow demand. Being able to predict the development of chronic growth is clinically relevant, but so far models to predict growth have not reached consensus on the stimulus-effect relation. In a previously published study, we modeled cardiac and hemodynamic function through a lumped parameter approach.

Evaluation of stimulus-effect relations in left ventricular growth using a simple multiscale model.

Cardiac growth is the natural capability of the heart to change size in response to changes in blood flow demand of the growing body. Cardiac diseases can trigger the same process leading to an abnormal type of growth. Prediction of cardiac growth would be clinically valuable, but so far published models on cardiac growth differ with respect to the stimulus-effect relation and constraints used for maximum growth.