Low-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography to assess left ventricular contractile reserve for cardiac resynchronization therapy: data from the Low-Dose Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography to Predict Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Response (LODO-CRT) trial.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an effective methodology indicated in selected heart failure patients. Identifying responders to the therapy is still challenging. Most studies report that at least 30% of the patients are nonresponders. Baseline characteristics of the Low-Dose Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography to Predict Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Response (LODO-CRT) trial population are presented. The study investigates dobutamine stress echocardiography's role in predicting CRT response. Two hundred seventy-one CRT candidates were studied. Mean age was 67+/-10 years, 69% were male, 96% had New York Heart Association class III disease, and 39% had heart failure of ischemic etiology. Mean QRS and left ventricular ejection fraction were 146+/-24 ms and 26%+/-6%, respectively. Seventy-seven percent of participants showed contractile reserve. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume was shown to be independently associated with contractile reserve presence. In particular, more dilated ventricles are associated with a lower chance of having contractile reserve. The LODO-CRT trial enrolled a cohort of patients fulfilling criteria for CRT. Dobutamine stress echocardiography was highly feasible and safe in this population. Contractile reserve was associated with healthier ventricles. (c) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.