Tracking Early Systolic Motion for Assessing Acute Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Real Time.

An abnormal systolic motion is frequently observed in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB), and it has been proposed as a predictor of response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Our goal was to investigate if this motion can be monitored with miniaturized sensors feasible for clinical use to identify response to CRT in real time. Motion sensors were attached to the septum and the left ventricular (LV) lateral wall of eighteen anesthetized dogs.

Determinants of left atrial reservoir and pump strain and use of atrial strain for evaluation of left ventricular filling pressure.

Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate determinants of left atrial (LA) reservoir and pump strain and if these parameters may serve as non-invasive markers of left ventricular (LV) filling pressure.

Methods And Results: In a multicentre study of 322 patients with cardiovascular disease of different aetiologies, LA strain and other echocardiographic parameters were compared with invasively measured LV filling pressure. The strongest determinants of LA reservoir and pump strain were LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) (r-values 0.

Left bundle branch block increases left ventricular diastolic pressure during tachycardia due to incomplete relaxation.

We investigated whether tachycardia in left bundle branch block (LBBB) decreases left ventricular (LV) diastolic distensibility and increases diastolic pressures due to incomplete relaxation, and if cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) modifies this response. Thirteen canines were studied at baseline heart rate (120 beats/min) and atrial paced tachycardia (180 beats/min) before and after induction of LBBB and during CRT. LV and left atrial pressures (LAP) were measured by micromanometers and dimensions by sonomicrometry.

Mechanical Effects on Right Ventricular Function From Left Bundle Branch Block and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate how LBBB and CRT modify RV free wall function by direct ventricular interaction.

Background: Right ventricular (RV) function influences prognosis in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). There is, however, limited insight into how LBBB and CRT affect RV function.

Diastolic Stress Test: Invasive and Noninvasive Testing.

Diastolic dysfunction is a key factor in the pathogenesis of heart failure. Around 50% of cases of heart failure, the hemodynamic correlate of which is increased left ventricular filling pressure, are caused by diastolic dysfunction in the setting of apparently normal systolic function. Due to its high prevalence, diastolic dysfunction is often recognized as an incidental finding.

[Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction].

Background: Approximately one half of all patients with heart failure have normal ejection fraction in the left ventricle, and heart failure is attributed to stiffness of the cardiac muscle. The most common cause is hypertension with ventricular hypertrophy.

Material And Method: Literature searches were conducted in PubMed.

Mechanism of Abnormal Septal Motion in Left Bundle Branch Block: Role of Left Ventricular Wall Interactions and Myocardial Scar.

Objectives: This study sought to investigate how regional left ventricular (LV) function modifies septal motion in left bundle branch block (LBBB).

Background: In LBBB, the interventricular septum often has marked pre-ejection shortening, followed by immediate relengthening (rebound stretch). This motion, often referred to as septal flash, is associated with positive response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Left ventricular end-systolic volume is a more sensitive marker of acute response to cardiac resynchronization therapy than contractility indices: insights from an experimental study.

Aims: There are conflicting data and no consensus on how to measure acute response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). This study investigates, which contractility indices are best markers of acute CRT response.

Methods And Results: In eight anaesthetized dogs with left bundle branch block, we measured left ventricular (LV) pressure by micromanometer and end-diastolic volume (EDV) and end-systolic volume (ESV) by sonomicrometry.

Mean Right Atrial Pressure for Estimation of Left Ventricular Filling Pressure in Patients with Normal Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction: Invasive and Noninvasive Validation.

Background: There is a paucity of data on the utility of right atrial pressure (RAP) for estimating pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) in patients with normal ejection fraction (EF), including patients with heart failure with preserved EF.

Methods: Mean RAP was compared with PCWP in 129 patients (mean age, 61 ± 11 years; 45% men) with exertional dyspnea enrolled in a multicenter study. Measurements included left ventricular volumes, EF, and mitral inflow velocities.

Estimating Left Ventricular Filling Pressure by Echocardiography.

Background: The diagnosis of heart failure may be challenging because symptoms are rather nonspecific. Elevated left ventricular (LV) filling pressure may be used to confirm the diagnosis, but cardiac catheterization is often not practical. Echocardiographic indexes are therefore used as markers of filling pressure.