Evaluation of Global Longitudinal Strain of Left Ventricle and Regional Longitudinal Strain in the Region of Left Ventricular Leads Predicts the Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Patients with Ischemic Heart Failure

Myocardium viability in ischemic heart failure (HF) may affect the effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). We hypothesized that longitudinal strain of 2D-STE, which reflects myocardium viability, can predict the response to CRT in patients with ischemic HF. 2D-STE was performed in 42 patients with HF, 1 week before and 1 year after CRT. GLS, RLS, and the LV synchrony index (SI), defined as the difference in timing to peak radial strain between LV anterior septal and posterior wall in LV short axis view, were calculated. A decrease in the LV end-systolic volume (LVESV) value of ≥15 % 1 year after CRT was defined as response to CRT. Twenty-nine patients responded to CRT (CRT-R group), while 13 patients did not respond and were assigned as CRT-NR group. Pre-CRT RLS and GLS were higher, while SI is lower, in CRT-R patients compared with CRT-NR group (p < 0.001). The ROC curve revealed that RLS of ?11.5 % predicted response to CRT with sensitivity of 80.0 % and specificity of 77.9 % (AUC = 0.84, p < 0.001). Further, GLS of ?13 % predicted response to CRT with sensitivity of 73.0 % and specificity of 73.4 % (AUC = 0.79, p < 0.001). In conclusion, LV dyssynchrony, GLS, and RLS calculated by 2D-STE can predict long-term response to CRT in patients with ischemic HF.