Cardiac resynchronization therapy and the emerging role of echocardiography (part 2): the comprehensive examination.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy has been established as an adjunctive treatment for patients with severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction and medically refractory heart failure symptoms with a prolonged electrocardiographic QRS interval. Echocardiography has emerged as a useful method to evaluate patients who are considered for cardiac resynchronization therapy. This review outlines measurements of ventricular performance to be used in this patient population including echocardiographic optimization of cardiac resynchronization therapy device settings.