Tissue Doppler imaging as a guide to resynchronization therapy in patients with congestive heart failure.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cardiac resynchronization therapy is a nonpharmacological treatment option in patients with heart failure and left bundle branch block but response rates are still disappointing.

RECENT FINDINGS

Extent of mechanical left ventricular asynchrony as detected by tissue Doppler imaging has emerged as an independent predictor of outcome to CRT. In addition, long-term therapy delivery may be further improved through optimized lead positioning and pacemaker programming.

SUMMARY

Tissue Doppler imaging should be included in the evaluation of potential CRT candidates but standardized evaluation criteria have not yet been provided.