Predicting Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Heart Failure

Many patients with heart failure benefit from cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) which involves implantation of a pacemaker to improve the coordination of heart function. However, approximately 30-40% of patients fail to respond to this therapy with current selection criteria. We hypothesize that patients with echocardiographic and MRI measures of a high degree of LV mechanical dyssynchrony are more likely to benefit from CRT than patients with less baseline dyssynchrony. Severe LV remodeling as measured by MRI may also predict patients less likely to benefit from therapy. In addition, myocardial fibrosis/scarring as measured by MRI delayed enhancement imaging may predict segments or subjects less likely to respond to CRT even in patients without ischemic heart disease. In this study, patients with New York Heart Association class III - IV heart failure will undergo imaging and stress testing prior to CRT pacemaker implantation and 6 months later to determine predictors of response. Considering the complexity of the protocol and novelty of some aspects of the MRI examination, we consider this an exploratory observational protocol.