Predictors of response to cardiac resynchronization therapy in chronic heart failure patients

Assessing cardiac resynchronization therapy response in heart failure patients: a comparative analysis of efficacy and outcomes between transvenous and epicardial leads

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an effective treatment for selected heart failure (HF) patients. Although transvenous implantation is the standard method, it is not feasible in some patients, so the epicardial lead emerges as an alternative. We aim to compare CRT response, procedure-related complications, and the occurrence of clinical outcomes between patients with transvenous and epicardial leads. In a single-center retrospective study, we enrolled consecutive HF patients submitted to CRT implantation with a defibrillator between 2013 and 2022. Clinical response was defined as an improvement of at least one of the New York Heart Association classes with no occurrence of cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization in the first year of follow-up. Echocardiographic response was attained with an increase in left ventricular ejection fraction 10% or a reduction of left ventricular end-diastolic volume >15% at 6-12 months after CRT implantation. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (cardiovascular mortality and HF hospitalization) and all-cause mortality were evaluated. From a total of 149 patients, 38% (n=57) received an epicardial lead. Clinical (63% versus 60%, p=0.679) and echocardiographic (63% versus 60%, p=0.679) responses were similar between the transvenous and epicardial groups. Patients in the transvenous group had a shorter hospital stay (2 versus 7 days, p<0.001). Procedure-related complications were comparable between groups (24% versus 28%, p=0.572), but left ventricular lead-related complications were more frequent in the transvenous group (14% versus 2%). During a median follow-up of 4.7 years, the rate of MACE was 30% (n=44), with no differences in both groups (p=0.591), neither regarding HF hospitalization (p=0.917) nor cardiovascular mortality (p=0.060). Nevertheless, the epicardial group had a higher rate of all-cause mortality (35% versus 20%, p=0.005), the majority occurring during long-term follow-up (>12 months), with no deaths in the postoperative period. Considering the comparable rates of CRT response, procedure-related complications, and MACE between groups, we conclude that epicardial lead is a feasible alternative for CRT when transvenous lead implantation is not possible. The occurrence of a higher number of all-cause deaths in epicardial patients in the long-term follow-up was mainly due to infectious complications (unrelated to the lead) and the progression of oncological/chronic diseases.

Electrocardiographic markers of cardiac resynchronization therapy response: delayed time to intrinsicoid deflection onset in lateral leads

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has emerged as an important intervention for patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction and delayed ventricular activation. In these patients, CRT has demonstrated to improve quality of life, promote reverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling, reduce HF hospitalizations, and extend survival. However, despite advancements in our understanding of CRT, a significant number of patients do not respond to this therapy. Several invasive and non-invasive parameters have been assessed to predict response to CRT, but the electrocardiogram (ECG) has remained as the prevailing screening method albeit with limitations. Ideally, an accurate, simple, and reproducible ECG marker or set of markers would dramatically overcome the current limitations. We describe the clinical utility of an old ECG parameter that can estimate ventricular activation delay: the onset to intrinsicoid deflection (ID). Based on the concept of direct measurement of ventricular activation time (intrinsic deflection onset), time to ID onset measures on the surface ECG the time that the electrical activation time takes to reach the area subtended by the corresponding surface ECG lead. Based on this principle, the time to ID on the lateral leads can estimate the delay activation to the lateral LV wall and can be used as a predictor for CRT response, particularly in patients with non-specific intraventricular conduction delay or in patients with left bundle branch block and QRS < 150 ms. The aim of this review is to present the current evidence and potential use of this ECG parameter to estimate LV activation and predict CRT response.