Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026

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
Electrical and mechanical ventricular activation during left bundle branch block and resynchronization
Marc Strik1, François Regoli, Angelo Auricchio
1Department of Physiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6200 MD, The Netherlands. m.strik@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Insights
Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves heart failure outcomes in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB). This review explores LBBB activation and biventricular pacing to enhance CRT effectiveness and patient selection.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Heart Failure Research
Background:
- Left bundle branch block (LBBB) is a key factor in heart failure, affecting cardiac function.
- The response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in LBBB patients is variable and not fully understood.
- Investigating LBBB pathophysiology is crucial for optimizing CRT.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on electrical activation in LBBB and during biventricular pacing.
- To apply this knowledge to current CRT practices.
- To identify novel methods for measuring and treating the electrical substrate in CRT candidates.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on LBBB and biventricular pacing.
- Analysis of electrical activation patterns in LBBB.
- Exploration of current CRT clinical practices.
Main Results:
- Heterogeneity in CRT response suggests incomplete understanding of LBBB and CRT mechanisms.
- Understanding electrical activation is key to improving CRT outcomes.
- Novel measurement and treatment strategies for the electrical substrate are needed.
Conclusions:
- Further research into LBBB activation is essential for advancing CRT.
- Optimizing CRT requires a deeper understanding of the electrical substrate.
- New approaches to measuring and treating LBBB are critical for improving heart failure management.
Abstract:
Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) aims to treat selected heart failure patients suffering from conduction abnormalities with left bundle branch block (LBBB) as the culprit disease. LBBB remained largely underinvestigated until it became apparent that the amount of response to CRT was heterogeneous and that the therapy and underlying pathology were thus incompletely understood. In this review, current knowledge concerning activation in LBBB and during biventricular pacing will be explored and applied to current CRT practice, highlighting novel ways to better measure and treat the electrical substrate.
More Related Videos
10:17Real-Time Cardiac Mapping with a Noninvasive Imageless Electrocardiographic Imaging System
Published on: April 11, 2025
06:57Ablation of Ischemic Ventricular Tachycardia Using a Multipolar Catheter and 3-dimensional Mapping System for High-density Electro-anatomical Reconstruction
Published on: January 31, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Electrophysiology of Normal Cardiac Rhythm
Dysrhythmias IV: Characteristics of Bradyarrhythmias
Cardiac Action Potential
The cardiac action potential process involves a series of phases characterized by the movement of ions across the cardiac cell membranes, leading to the depolarization and repolarization of the cardiac myocytes.
Ionic Basis of Cardiac Action Potentials
Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias
Disturbances in Heart Rhythm
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...