Journal of Cardiac Failure
Volume 12, Issue 2 , Pages 154-162, March 2006

Tissue Doppler Imaging and Left Ventricular Dyssynchrony in Heart Failure

  • Alan J. Bank, MD

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: Alan J. Bank, MD, Medical Director of Research, St. Paul Heart Clinic, 255 North Smith Avenue, Suite 100, St. Paul, MN 55102.
    • ,
  • Aaron S. Kelly, PhD

From the Research Division, St. Paul Heart Clinic, St. Paul, Minnesota

Received 18 May 2005; received in revised form 12 August 2005; accepted 12 September 2005.

St. Paul, Minnesota

Abstract 

Background

Electrical dyssynchrony is one of the main criteria for determining eligibility for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). However, recent data support the use of mechanical rather than electrical dyssynchrony as the major criterion for receiving CRT.

Methods and Results

Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is emerging as an indispensable tool for measuring and quantifying mechanical dyssynchrony in patients with advanced heart failure. TDI techniques for quantifying dyssynchrony include: tissue tracking, tissue velocity imaging, tissue synchronization imaging, and strain analysis. This review details the different techniques and discusses advantages and disadvantages of each. As TDI is incorporated into clinical practice, the ability to select patients who are most likely to improve after CRT should increase. TDI may also prove to be a useful tool for optimizing pacemaker settings in patients who do not improve after CRT.

Conclusion

Ongoing research trials will further define the role of TDI in the clinical management of patients with heart failure.

Key Words: Cardiac resynchronization therapy, Echocardiography

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 A.J.B. receives research grant support, honoraria, and consultation fees from Guidant and Medtronic. A.S.K. receives research grant support from Guidant and Medtronic.

PII: S1071-9164(05)01273-X

doi:10.1016/j.cardfail.2005.09.003

Journal of Cardiac Failure
Volume 12, Issue 2 , Pages 154-162, March 2006

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