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Updated: Mar 18, 2026

Real-Time Cardiac Mapping with a Noninvasive Imageless Electrocardiographic Imaging System
Published on: April 11, 2025
Cardiac resynchronization therapy guided by multimodality cardiac imaging
Matteo Bertini1, Donato Mele2, Michele Malagù2
1Department of Cardiology, University of Ferrara, S. Anna Hospital, Cona-Ferrara, Italy. doc.matber@gmail.com.
Insights
A specialized CRT team improved cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) response rates by using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and strain imaging to precisely target LV lead placement. This approach significantly increased patient response compared to standard practice.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
- Heart Failure Management
Background:
- Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has suboptimal response rates, with up to 45% of patients not benefiting.
- Identifying the optimal left ventricular (LV) lead placement is crucial for CRT efficacy.
- Current standard CRT implantation practices may not consistently identify the ideal pacing target.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary 'CRT team' in improving CRT response rates.
- To assess the role of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and longitudinal myocardial strain imaging in guiding LV lead placement.
- To determine if precise targeting of the most delayed and viable myocardial region enhances CRT outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 100 heart failure patients undergoing CRT.
- Group 1 (n=50) received CRT guided by a 'CRT team' using CMR and strain imaging for LV lead targeting.
- Group 2 (n=50, control) received CRT via standard clinical practice; response defined as ≥15% reduction in LV end-systolic volume at 6 months.
Main Results:
- CRT response rates were significantly higher in the 'CRT team' group (78%) compared to the control group (56%, P=0.019).
- The 'CRT team' identified specific target areas for LV pacing, with concordant lead placement showing a 93.1% response rate.
- CMR and strain imaging facilitated precise LV lead placement in most patients, guiding targeting to lateral, anterolateral, or posterolateral regions.
Conclusions:
- Multimodality cardiac imaging, including CMR and strain, is valuable for guiding CRT implantation.
- Utilizing a dedicated 'CRT team' approach can significantly increase patient response to CRT.
- Optimizing LV lead positioning through advanced imaging improves CRT efficacy in heart failure patients.
Aims:
Up to 30-45% of implanted patients are non-responders to CRT. We evaluated the role of a 'CRT team' using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and longitudinal myocardial strain to identify the target area defined as the most delayed and viable region for LV pacing.
Methods And Results:
A total of 100 heart failure patients candidates for CRT divided into two groups were enrolled. Group 1 consisted of 50 consecutive patients scheduled for CRT and prospectively included. Group 2 (control) consisted of 50 patients with a CRT device implanted according to standard clinical practice and matched for age, sex, and LVEF with group 1. Patients were evaluated at baseline and at 6-month follow-up. In group 1, patients underwent two-dimensional speckle-tracking assessment of longitudinal myocardial strain and CMR imaging to identify the target area for LV lead pacing. A positive response to CRT was defined as a reduction of ≥15% of the LV end-systolic volume at 6-month follow-up. A total of 39 (78%) patients of group 1 were classified as responders to CRT whilst in group 2, only 28 (56%) were responders (P = 0.019). The 'CRT team' identified as target for LV pacing the lateral area in 30 (60%) patients, and the anterolateral or posterolateral areas in 12 (24%) patients. In 8 (16%) patients, the target was far from the lateral area, in the anterior or posterior areas. The patients with concordant position exhibited the highest positive response (93.1%) to CRT.
Conclusions:
Multimodality cardiac imaging as a guide for CRT implantation is useful to increase response rate.
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