Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is one of the most exciting new advances in the treatment of chronic severe (NYHA symptom class) heart failure associated with dyssynchronous ventricular contraction that is refractory to medical treatment. In all randomized trials CR has resulted in improved NYHA symptom class, exercise capacity and quality of life in the majority of patients as compared to patients on optimal medical therapy including angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE)/angiotensin receptor blocker inhibitor (ARB) and b adrenergic receptor blockers. These symptomatic benefits are mediated by "reverse remodeling" of the left ventricle, that is reduction in volume, regression of LV mass, improvement in ejection fraction and severity of mitral regurgitation induced by synchronization of ventricular contraction. This new text is edited by 5 experts in heart failure, electrophysiology and non-invasive cardiac imaging and is extensively illustrated with high quality figures and examples of clinical cases. The purpose of the book is to put into perspective this novel therapy with regards to traditional heart failure treatment and to provide criteria for identifying patients likely to have an optimal and sustained response to CRT using a practical "how to" approach. This text begins by describing the background and evolution of the technique to the current implementation and the impact of complications on clinical outcome. There are chapters describing "cutting edge" Doppler echocardiography for assessing dyssynchrony, reverse remodeling and triaging patients into those with greatest likelihood of responding to CRT with illustrative clinical case examples. There is a full description of the results of all the randomized clinical trials and a number of chapters discussing the need for concomitant internal cardiac defibrillator (ICD), special circumstances such as atrial fibrillation, right bundle branch block, left ventricular lead placement and

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is one of the most exciting new advances in the treatment of chronic severe (NYHA symptom class) heart failure associated with dyssynchronous ventricular contraction that is refractory to medical treatment. In all randomized trials CR has resulted in improved NYHA symptom class, exercise capacity and quality of life in the majority of patients as compared to patients on optimal medical therapy including angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE)/angiotensin receptor blocker inhibitor (ARB) and b adrenergic receptor blockers. These symptomatic benefits are mediated by "reverse remodeling" of the left ventricle, that is reduction in volume, regression of LV mass, improvement in ejection fraction and severity of mitral regurgitation induced by synchronization of ventricular contraction. This new text is edited by 5 experts in heart failure, electrophysiology and non-invasive cardiac imaging and is extensively illustrated with high quality figures and examples of clinical cases. The purpose of the book is to put into perspective this novel therapy with regards to traditional heart failure treatment and to provide criteria for identifying patients likely to have an optimal and sustained response to CRT using a practical "how to" approach. This text begins by describing the background and evolution of the technique to the current implementation and the impact of complications on clinical outcome. There are chapters describing "cutting edge" Doppler echocardiography for assessing dyssynchrony, reverse remodeling and triaging patients into those with greatest likelihood of responding to CRT with illustrative clinical case examples. There is a full description of the results of all the randomized clinical trials and a number of chapters discussing the need for concomitant internal cardiac defibrillator (ICD), special circumstances such as atrial fibrillation, right bundle branch block, left ventricular lead placement and

Echocardiography in Heart Failure - a volume in the exciting new Practical Echocardiography Series edited by Dr. Catherine M. Otto - provides practical, how-to guidance on effectively applying echocardiography to evaluate heart failure, make therapeutic decisions, and monitor therapy. Definitive, expert instruction from Drs. Martin St. John Sutton and Denise Wiegers is presented in a highly visual, case-based approach that facilitates understanding and equips you to accurately apply this technique while avoiding any potential pitfalls. Access the full text online at www.expertconsult.com along with cases, procedural videos, and abundant, detailed figures and tables that show you how to proceed, step by step, and get the best results. Master challenging and advanced echocardiography techniques such as cardiac resynchronization therapy through a practical, step-by-step format that provides a practical approach to image acquisition and analysis, technical details, pitfalls, and case examples. Expand your knowledge and apply the latest findings on cardiomyopathy and dyssynchrony. Reference the information you need quickly thanks to easy-to-follow, templated chapters, with an abundance of figures and tables that facilitate visual learning. Access the complete text and illustrations online at www.expertconsult.com plus video clips, additional cases, and much more! Overcome challenges and master techniques with expert guidance on echocardiography in heart failure