Predictors of positive response to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Background: Approximately 30% of patients treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) do not achieve favourable response. The purpose of the present study was to identify echocardiographic and clinical predictors of a positive response to CRT.

Methods: The study included 82 consecutive heart failure (HF) patients in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III or IV with left bundle branch block (LBBB), QRS duration ≥ 120 ms and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 35%.

Components of left ventricular ejection and filling in patients with aortic regurgitation assessed by speckle-tracking echocardiography.

The aim of our study was to evaluate left ventricular (LV) longitudinal, radial, and rotational function and its relationship with conventional LV parameters of systolic and diastolic function in patients with aortic regurgitation (AR) by speckle-tracking echocardiography. MATERIAL AND METHODS. A total of 26 asymptomatic patients with moderate AR, 34 patients with severe AR, and 28 healthy controls were included into the study.

Left ventricular mechanics in asymptomatic normotensive and hypertensive patients with aortic regurgitation.

Background: The aims of this study were to detect subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and to determine the impact of arterial hypertension on LV systolic function using speckle-tracking echocardiography in patients with chronic aortic regurgitation (AR).

Methods: Sixty-eight patients with AR and 47 healthy controls were included in the study. LV rotation and longitudinal, radial, and circumferential strain were measured using speckle-tracking imaging.