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Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Benefits of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in an Asynchronous Heart Failure Model Induced by Left Bundle Branch Ablation and Rapid Pacing
12:45

Benefits of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in an Asynchronous Heart Failure Model Induced by Left Bundle Branch Ablation and Rapid Pacing

Published on: December 11, 2017

Endothelial dysfunction in heart failure identifies responders to cardiac resynchronization therapy

Joseph G Akar1, M Obadah Al-Chekakie, Tyler Fugate

  • 1Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois 60153, USA. jakar@lumc.edu

Heart Rhythm
|September 9, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Endothelial dysfunction predicts response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Assessing endothelial function may improve patient selection for CRT, enhancing heart failure outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Biology
  • Heart Failure Management

Background:

  • Endothelial dysfunction is linked to higher heart failure mortality.
  • Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves heart failure outcomes but identifying responders remains challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if endothelial dysfunction can predict patient response to CRT.
  • To assess the utility of endothelial function testing in CRT selection.

Main Methods:

  • Measured brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (endothelial function) pre-CRT and 90 days post-CRT in 33 heart failure patients.
  • Analyzed correlation between baseline endothelial function and CRT response, including changes in LVEF, 6-minute walk distance, and quality of life.

Main Results:

  • 58% of patients responded to CRT.
  • Non-responders had significantly poorer baseline flow-mediated dilation (8.6%) compared to responders (4.6%).
  • Baseline endothelial dysfunction correlated with reduced functional capacity and predicted increased likelihood of CRT response, independent of other factors.

Conclusions:

  • Endothelial dysfunction is an independent predictor of CRT response.
  • Incorporating endothelial function assessment into current criteria could enhance the identification of CRT responders.
  • Improved identification of CRT responders may lead to better heart failure management.
Abstract

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