Cardiac resynchronisation therapy in 2015: keeping up with the pace

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Heart failure (HF) remains a significant global health challenge, increasing morbidity and mortality.
• Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT), or biventricular pacing, is a key treatment for HF.
• Evolving understanding of HF pathophysiology necessitates updated treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in CRT for heart failure management.
• To discuss changes in patient selection criteria for CRT.
• To explore emerging technologies and imaging modalities in CRT.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of current literature and guideline updates on CRT.
• Review of data on CRT in specific patient populations (e.g., atrial fibrillation, pacemaker-dependent).
• Examination of the role of multimodality imaging in CRT patient selection and lead placement.

Main Results:

• Updated guidelines emphasize improved patient selection to reduce CRT non-response rates.
• CRT efficacy in atrial fibrillation and pacemaker-dependent patients is increasingly understood.
• Multimodality imaging plays a crucial role in optimizing CRT outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Refined patient selection and advanced imaging are critical for maximizing CRT benefits.
• Emerging lead technologies hold promise for enhancing CRT effectiveness.
• Continued research and technological innovation are vital for addressing the growing heart failure epidemic.