Abstract
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Objectives: The equilibrium radionuclide angiogram (ERNA) provides an assessment of left ventricular function and the location of dyssynchrony. We compared using the findings from ERNA to guide CS lead placement with the traditional method of placing the CS lead in a lateral CS branch to determine whether ERNA-guided placement improved response to CRT.
Methods: We obtained ERNA studies on 14 pts with NYHA Class III and IV heart failure referred for CRT device implantation or upgrade from a right-ventricular device. Each pixel of an ERNA is defined by its phase (Ø) and amplitude (Amp), which together define its vector; the Amp gives the vector’s length. The vector sum of all Amps, based on the angular distribution of Ø, divided by the scalar sum of the length of all the vectors defines a new parameter, Synchrony (S). With complete synchrony, S=1, and with complete dyssynchrony, S=0. Using ERNA studies obtained before and after CRT, we evaluated S, ejection fraction (EF), and NYHA Class at both times. [table]
Results: 3 out of 6 pts who underwent traditional CS lead placement (pts 9-14) did not show any improvement in NYHA class (50%). 7 of the 8 pts who had ERNA-guided CS lead placement (pts 1-8) had an improvement in NYHA class (88%). More pts in the ERNA-guided group had clinical improvement as compared to the traditional group (p=0.02 by Chi square analysis). Patient 1 likely did not benefit since the location where the CS lead had been placed showed non-viable tissue by a subsequent PET scan. The degree of change in S also significantly predicted the clinical response to CRT.
Conclusions: In heart failure pts requiring CRT, ERNA can be used to guide CS lead placement. The use of this method resulted in significant improvements in NYHA class. Given these findings, this is a novel technique that warrants further study.
Location of Lead position and LV Dyssynchrony
- Society of Nuclear Medicine, Inc.
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