Image-guided left ventricular lead placement in cardiac resynchronization therapy: focused on image fusion methods

Cardiac resynchronization therapy is an effective and widely accessible treatment for patients with advanced, drug-refractory heart failure. It has been shown to reverse maladaptive ventricular remodeling, increase exercise capacity, and lower hospitalization and mortality rates. However, there still exists a considerable proportion of patients who do not respond favorably to the therapy. Tailored left ventricular (LV) lead positioning instead of empiric implantation is thought to have the greatest potential to increase response rates. In our paper, we focus on the rationale for guided LV lead implantation and provide a review of the non-invasive imaging modalities applicable for navigation during LV lead implantation, with special attention to the latest achievements in the field of multimodality imaging and image fusion techniques. Current limitations and future perspectives of the concept are discussed as well.