Loss of opposite left ventricular basal and apical rotation predicts acute response to cardiac resynchronization therapy and is associated with long-term reversed remodeling.

BACKGROUND: Normal left ventricular (LV) torsion is caused by opposite basal and apical rotation. Opposite rotation can be lost in heart failure, but might be restored by pacing; therefore, the predictive value of the loss of opposite base-apex rotation in heart failure patients for the response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) was studied. METHODS AND
RESULTS: In 34 CRT candidates and 12 controls, basal and apical LV rotations were calculated using magnetic resonance image tagging. Loss of opposite rotation was quantified by the correlation between both rotation curves: a negative correlation indicates normal, opposite rotation and a positive correlation indicates that base and apex rotate in the same direction. In patients, LV pressure was measured invasively during biventricular stimulation. Acute response to CRT was defined by >10% increase in dP/dt(max) relative to baseline. LV volume was determined at baseline and 8 months follow-up using echocardiography. The base-apex rotation correlation (BARC) was significantly higher in acute responders (n=22) than in nonresponders (n=12) and controls (0.64+/-0.51, -0.23+/-0.67, and -0.68+/-0.22, respectively; P=.001). The sensitivity and specificity for prediction of acute response were 82% and 83%, respectively, at a cutoff value of 0.5. At follow-up, volumes could be analyzed in 18 patients. In the group with BARC >0.5, end-diastolic volume decreased by 7% (NS), end-systolic volume by 16%, and ejection fraction increased by 28% (both P=.02), whereas in the group with BARC <0.5, no significant changes were observed.
CONCLUSIONS: The loss of opposite base-apex rotation in patients eligible for CRT is an excellent predictor of acute response and is associated with LV reverse remodeling.