An image fusion tool for echo-guided left ventricular lead placement in cardiac resynchronization therapy: Performance and workflow integration analysis.

BACKGROUND: The response rate to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) may be improved if echocardiographic-derived parameters are used to guide the left ventricular (LV) lead deployment. Tools to visually integrate deformation imaging and fluoroscopy to take advantage of the combined information are lacking. METHODS: An image fusion tool for echo-guided LV lead placement in CRT was developed. A personalized average 3D cardiac model aided visualization of patient-specific LV function in fluoroscopy. A set of coronary venography-derived landmarks facilitated registration of the 3D model with fluoroscopy into a single multimodality image. The fusion was both performed and analyzed retrospectively in 30 cases. Baseline time-to-peak values from echocardiography speckle-tracking radial strain traces were color-coded onto the fused LV. LV segments with suspected scar tissue were excluded by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. The postoperative augmented image was used to investigate: (a) registration accuracy and (b) agreement between LV pacing lead location, echo-defined target segments, and CRT response. RESULTS: Registration time (264 ± 25 seconds) and accuracy (4.3 ± 2.3 mm) were found clinically acceptable. A good agreement between pacing location and echo-suggested segments was found in 20 (out of 21) CRT responders. Perioperative integration of the proposed workflow was successfully tested in 2 patients. No additional radiation, compared with the existing workflow, was required. CONCLUSIONS: The fusion tool facilitates understanding of the spatial relationship between the coronary veins and the LV function and may help targeted LV lead delivery.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy when no lateral pacing option exists: vectorcardiographic guided non-lateral left ventricular lead placement predicts acute hemodynamic response.

Aims: A difficult cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) implantation scenario emerges when no lateral pacing option exists. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of biventricular pacing (BIVP) on vectorcardiographic parameters in patients with a non-lateral left ventricular (LV) lead position. We hypothesized that perimeter and area reduction for both the QRS complex and T-wave would predict acute CRT response. Methods and results: Twenty-six patients (14 ischaemic) with a mean age of 63 ± 10 years and standard CRT indication underwent device implantation with continuous LV pressure registration. The LV lead was placed in either an anterior or apical position. Biventricular pacing was performed at a rate 10% above intrinsic rhythm with acute CRT response defined as LV ΔdP/dtmax >10%. Using this criterion 12 patients were identified as acute CRT responders (responders: 16.7 ± 4.8% vs. non-responders: 1.9 ± 5.3%, P < 0.001). Vectorcardiographic assessment of the QRS complex and T-wave were performed at baseline and under BIVP. Based on the observed changes in three-dimensional area and perimeter, ΔQRS-area (responders: -46.7 ± 39.6% vs. non-responders: 1.1 ± 50.9%, P = 0.006) was considered as the preferred parameter. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified -40% as the optimal cut-off value (sensitivity 67% and specificity 93%) for prediction of acute CRT response (AUC = 0.81, P < 0.01). A significant correlation was observed between LV ΔdP/dtmax and ΔQRS-area (R2 = 0.37, P = 0.001). Conclusion: ΔQRS-area is correlated to LV ΔdP/dtmax and predicts acute CRT response in patients with a non-lateral LV lead position. Assessment of ΔQRS-area might be a useful tool for patient specific LV lead placement when no lateral pacing option exists.

Inappropriate Extravascular ICD Shock Due to Wet Car Seat.

Inappropriate shocks from an Intracardiac defibrillator are associated with increased mortality and may be caused by external electromagnetic interference. This case illustrates that water is an excellent conductor of electricity and that determined investigation may reveal the cause of inappropriate shocks.

Enhancing cardiac pacing strategies: a review of conduction system pacing compared with right and biventricular pacing and their influence on myocardial function.

Traditional right ventricular pacing (RVP) has been linked to the deterioration of both left ventricular diastolic and systolic function. This worsening often culminates in elevated rates of hospitalization due to heart failure, an increased risk of atrial fibrillation, and increased morbidity. While biventricular pacing (BVP) has demonstrated clinical and echocardiographic improvements in patients afflicted with heart failure and left bundle branch block, it has also encountered significant challenges such as a notable portion of non-responders and procedural failures attributed to anatomical complexities. In recent times, the interest has shifted towards conduction system pacing, initially, His bundle pacing, and more recently, left bundle branch area pacing, which are seen as promising alternatives to established methods. In contrast to other approaches, conduction system pacing offers the advantage of fostering more physiological and harmonized ventricular activation by directly stimulating the His-Purkinje network. This direct pacing results in a more synchronized systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle compared with RVP and BVP. Of particular note is the capacity of conduction system pacing to yield a shorter QRS, conserve left ventricular ejection fraction, and reduce rates of mitral and tricuspid regurgitation when compared with RVP. The efficacy of conduction system pacing has also been found to have better clinical and echocardiographic improvement than BVP in patients requiring cardiac resynchronization. This review will delve into myocardial function in conduction system pacing compared with that in RVP and BVP.

Three-month treatment with adaptive servoventilation improves cardiac function and physical activity in patients with chronic heart failure and cheyne-stokes respiration: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cheyne-Stokes respiration frequently occurs in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Adaptive servoventilation (ASV) is a novel therapy with potential benefits. This prospective randomized trial investigated the effects of ASV on myocardial function and physical capacity. METHODS: Patients with severe CHF, despite optimal cardiac medication and/or left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤40% and Cheyne-Stokes breathing for >25% of sleeping time were included. Fifty-one patients, age 57-81 years (4 were women), were randomized to either an ASV or a control group; 30 patients completed the study (15 from each group). The primary end point was any change in LVEF. The secondary end points were alterations in physical capacity according to the 6-min walk test or the New York Heart Association (NYHA) class. RESULTS: In the ASV-treatment group, LVEF improved from baseline (32 ± 11%) to study end (36 ± 13%), p = 0.013. The 6-min walk test improved from 377 ± 115 to 430 ± 123 m (p = 0.014) and the NYHA class from 3.2 (3.0-3.0) to 2.0 (2.0-3.0) (p < 0.001). No changes occurred in the control group. CONCLUSION: Three months of ASV treatment improved LVEF and physical capacity in CHF patients with Cheyne-Stokes respiration. These results suggest that ASV may be a beneficial supplement to standard medication in these patients.

Shortening of time-to-peak left ventricular pressure rise (Td) in cardiac resynchronization therapy.

AIMS: We tested the hypothesis that shortening of time-to-peak left ventricular pressure rise (Td) reflect resynchronization in an animal model and that Td measured in patients will be helpful to identify long-term volumetric responders [end-systolic volume (ESV) decrease >15%] in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). METHODS: Td was analysed in an animal study (n = 12) of left bundle-branch block (LBBB) with extensive instrumentation to detect left ventricular myocardial deformation, electrical activation, and pressures during pacing. The sum of electrical delays from the onset of pacing to four intracardiac electrodes formed a synchronicity index (SI). Pacing was performed at baseline, with LBBB, right and left ventricular pacing and finally with biventricular pacing (BIVP). We then studied Td at baseline and with BIVP in a clinical observational study in 45 patients during the implantation of CRT and followed up for up to 88 months. RESULTS: We found a strong relationship between Td and SI in the animals (R = 0.84, P < 0.01). Td and SI increased from narrow QRS at baseline (Td = 95 ± 2 ms, SI = 141 ± 8 ms) to LBBB (Td = 125 ± 2 ms, SI = 247 ± 9 ms, P < 0.01), and shortened with biventricular pacing (BIVP) (Td = 113 ± 2 ms and SI = 192 ± 7 ms, P < 0.01). Prolongation of Td was associated with more wasted deformation during the preejection period (R = 0.77, P < 0.01). Six patients increased ESV by 2.5 ± 18%, while 37 responders (85%) had a mean ESV decrease of 40 ± 15% after more than 6 months of follow-up. Responders presented with a higher Td at baseline than non-responders (163 ± 26 ms vs. 121 ± 19 ms, P < 0.01). Td decreased to 156 ± 16 ms (P = 0.02) with CRT in responders, while in non-responders, Td increased to 148 ± 21 ms (P < 0.01). A decrease in Td with BIVP to values similar or below what was found at baseline accurately identified responders to therapy (AUC 0.98, P < 0.01). Td at baseline and change in Td from baseline was linear related to the decrease in ESV at follow-up. All-cause mortality was high among six non-responders (n = 4), while no patients died in the responder group during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Prolongation of Td is associated with cardiac dyssynchrony and more wasted deformation during the preejection period. Shortening of a prolonged Td with CRT in patients accurately identifies volumetric responders to CRT with incremental value on top of current guidelines and practices. Thus, Td carries the potential to become a biomarker to predict long-term volumetric response in CRT candidates.

Septal contraction predicts acute haemodynamic improvement and paced QRS width reduction in cardiac resynchronization therapy.

AIMS: Three distinct septal contraction patterns typical for left bundle branch block may be assessed using echocardiography in heart failure patients scheduled for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The aim of this study was to explore the association between these septal contraction patterns and the acute haemodynamic and electrical response to biventricular pacing (BIVP) in patients undergoing CRT implantation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-eight CRT candidates underwent speckle tracking echocardiography prior to device implantation. The patients were divided into two groups based on whether their septal contraction pattern was indicative of dyssynchrony (premature septal contraction followed by various amount of stretch) or not (normally timed septal contraction with minimal stretch). CRT implantation was performed under invasive left ventricular (LV) pressure monitoring and we defined acute CRT response as ≥10% increase in LV dP/dtmax. End-diastolic pressure (EDP) and QRS width served as a diastolic and electrical parameter, respectively. LV dP/dtmax improved under BIVP (737 ± 177 mmHg/s vs. 838 ± 199 mmHg/s, P < 0.001) and 26 patients (68%) were defined as acute CRT responders. Patients with premature septal contraction (n = 27) experienced acute improvement in systolic (ΔdP/dtmax: 18.3 ± 8.9%, P < 0.001), diastolic (ΔEDP: -30.6 ± 29.9%, P < 0.001) and electrical (ΔQRS width: -23.3 ± 13.2%, P < 0.001) parameters. No improvement under BIVP was observed in patients (n = 11) with normally timed septal contraction (ΔdP/dtmax: 4.0 ± 7.8%, P = 0.12; ΔEDP: -8.8 ± 38.4%, P = 0.47 and ΔQRS width: -0.9 ± 11.4%, P = 0.79). CONCLUSION: Septal contraction patterns are an excellent predictor of acute CRT response. Only patients with premature septal contraction experienced acute systolic, diastolic, and electrical improvement under BIVP.

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). METHODS: In 10 anesthetized dogs, we induced LBBB by radiofrequency ablation and occluded the circumflex (CX) (n = 10) and left anterior descending (LAD) (n = 6) coronary arteries, respectively. Myocardial dimensions were measured by sonomicrometry and myocardial work by pressure-segment length analysis. In 40 heart failure patients with LBBB, including 20 with post-infarct scar and 20 with nonischemic cardiomyopathy, myocardial strain was measured by speckle-tracking echocardiography and myocardial work by pressure-strain analysis. Scar was assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging with late gadolinium enhancement. RESULTS: During LBBB, each animal showed typical septal flash with pre-ejection shortening and rebound stretch, followed by reduced septal systolic shortening (p < 0.01). CX occlusion caused LV lateral wall dysfunction and abolished septal flash due to loss of rebound stretch (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, CX occlusion restored septal systolic shortening to a similar level as before induction of LBBB and substantially improved septal work (p < 0.001). LAD occlusion, however, accentuated septal flash by increasing rebound stretch (p < 0.05). Consistent with the experimental findings, septal flash was absent in patients with LV lateral wall scar due to lack of rebound stretch (p < 0.001), and septal systolic shortening and septal work far exceeded values in nonischemic cardiomyopathy (p < 0.0001). Septal flash was present in most patients with anteroseptal scar. CONCLUSIONS: LV lateral wall dysfunction and scar abolished septal flash and markedly improved septal function in LBBB. Therefore, function and scar in the LV lateral wall should be taken into account when septal motion is used to evaluate dyssynchrony.

A Centerline-Based Model Morphing Algorithm for Patient-Specific Finite Element Modeling of the Left Ventricle.

GOAL: Hexahedral automatic model generation is a recurrent problem in computer vision and computational biomechanics. It may even become a challenging problem when one wants to develop a patient-specific finite element (FE) model of the left ventricle (LV), particularly when only low resolution images are available. In the present study, a fast and efficient algorithm is presented and tested to address such a situation. METHODS: A template FE hexahedral model was created for an LV geometry using a general electric ultrasound (US) system. A system of centerline was considered for this LV mesh. Then, the nodes located over the endocardial and epicardial surfaces are, respectively, projected from this centerline onto the actual endocardial and epicardial surfaces reconstructed from a patient's US data. Finally, the position of the internal nodes is derived by finding the deformations with minimal elastic energy. This approach was applied to eight patients suffering from congestive heart disease. An FE analysis was performed to derive the stress induced in the LV tissue by diastolic blood pressure on each of them. RESULTS: Our model morphing algorithm was applied successfully and the obtained meshes showed only marginal mismatches when compared to the corresponding US geometries. The diastolic FE analyses were successfully performed in seven patients to derive the distribution of principal stresses. CONCLUSION: The original model morphing algorithm is fast and robust with low computational cost. SIGNIFICANCE: This low-cost model morphing algorithm may be highly beneficial for future patient-specific reduced-order modeling of the LV with potential application to other crucial organs.

Contractility surrogates derived from three-dimensional lead motion analysis and prediction of acute haemodynamic response to CRT.

Background: Patient-specific left ventricular (LV) lead optimisation strategies with immediate feedback on cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) effectiveness are needed. The purpose of this study was to compare contractility surrogates derived from biventricular lead motion analysis to the peak positive time derivative of LV pressure (dP/dtmax) in patients undergoing CRT implantation. Methods: Twenty-seven patients underwent CRT implantation with continuous haemodynamic monitoring. The right ventricular (RV) lead was placed in apex and a quadripolar LV lead was placed laterally. Biplane fluoroscopy cine films facilitated construction of three-dimensional RV-LV interlead distance waveforms at baseline and under biventricular pacing (BIVP) from which the following contractility surrogates were derived; fractional shortening (FS), time to peak systolic contraction and peak shortening of the interlead distance (negative slope). Acute haemodynamic CRT response was defined as LV ∆dP/dtmax ≥ 10 %. Results: We observed a mean increase in dP/dtmax under BIVP (899±205 mm Hg/s vs 777±180 mm Hg/s, p<0.001). Based on ΔdP/dtmax, 18 patients were classified as acute CRT responders and nine as non-responders (23.3%±10.6% vs 1.9±5.3%, p<0.001). The baseline RV-LV interlead distance was associated with echocardiographic LV dimensions (end diastole: R=0.61, p=0.001 and end systole: R=0.54, p=0.004). However, none of the contractility surrogates could discriminate between the acute CRT responders and non-responders (ΔFS: -2.5±2.6% vs - 2.0±3.1%, p=0.50; Δtime to peak systolic contraction: -9.7±18.1% vs -10.8±15.1%, p=0.43 and Δpeak negative slope: -8.7±45.9% vs 12.5±54.8 %, p=0.09). Conclusion: The baseline RV-LV interlead distance was associated with echocardiographic LV dimensions. In CRT recipients, contractility surrogates derived from the RV-LV interlead distance waveform could not discriminate between acute haemodynamic responders and non-responders.

High-resolution data assimilation of cardiac mechanics applied to a dyssynchronous ventricle.

Computational models of cardiac mechanics, personalized to a patient, offer access to mechanical information above and beyond direct medical imaging. Additionally, such models can be used to optimize and plan therapies in-silico, thereby reducing risks and improving patient outcome. Model personalization has traditionally been achieved by data assimilation, which is the tuning or optimization of model parameters to match patient observations. Current data assimilation procedures for cardiac mechanics are limited in their ability to efficiently handle high-dimensional parameters. This restricts parameter spatial resolution, and thereby the ability of a personalized model to account for heterogeneities that are often present in a diseased or injured heart. In this paper, we address this limitation by proposing an adjoint gradient-based data assimilation method that can efficiently handle high-dimensional parameters. We test this procedure on a synthetic data set and provide a clinical example with a dyssynchronous left ventricle with highly irregular motion. Our results show that the method efficiently handles a high-dimensional optimization parameter and produces an excellent agreement for personalized models to both synthetic and clinical data.