Dynamic ventricular dyssynchrony: an exercise-echocardiography study.

Objectives: We sought to assess the effects of exercise on ventricular dyssynchrony in patients with normal and depressed left ventricular (LV) function.

Background: Asynchronous myocardial contraction adversely influences ventricular function and is associated with a poor prognosis in heart failure. Exercise-induced changes in ventricular dyssynchrony may be an important determinant of dynamic changes in cardiac output and mitral regurgitation.