Echo/Doppler-derived time intervals are able to predict left ventricular reverse remodeling after cardiac resynchronization therapy

Aim: We evaluated the predictive value of echo/Doppler derived indices, which reflect the duration of the isovolumic phases of the cardiac cycle, in identifying cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) responders. Methods and Results: In 105 patients before and 6 months after CRT the following echo/Doppler parameters were evaluated: myocardial performance index (MPI) as the sum of isovolumic contraction time (IVCT) and isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) divided by ejection time; total isovolumic time (t-IVT) as the sum of IVCT and IVRT divided by the RR interval; and standard deviation of the time to systolic peak velocity (Ts-SD) as asynchrony index. After 6 months, patients were defined responders according to 15% left ventricle (LV) end-systolic volume reduction or more. At baseline, responders (53.3%) had higher t-IVT and MPI than nonresponders (0.30 ± 0.06 versus 0.22 ± 0.05, P < 0.0001 and 1.01 ± 0.27 versus 0.73 ± 0.19, P < 0.0001, respectively). Receiving operating characteristic curve analysis showed that both t-IVT (80.3% sensitivity and 83.7% specificity, cut-off = 0.263) and MPI (78.6% sensitivity and 81.6% specificity, cut-off = 0.84) could predict CRT response. Baseline t-IVT correlated well to end-systolic volume reduction (r = -0.56, P < 0.00001). Conclusion: Echo/Doppler derived indices, describing physiologic abnormalities of the isovolumic contraction and relaxation phase, are able to predict CRT-induced reverse remodeling. © 2010 Italian Federation of Cardiology.