Overview

Previous experience with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) candidates suggests that selection of these patients can be improved. Current clinical guideline approaches are mainly too unspecific and lead to a high non-responder rate of 30-40%, which causes a burden on health care systems and puts patients at risk of an unnecessary treatment who might benefit more from a conservative approach. Previous work indicated that using the assessment of mechanical dyssynchrony on echocardiography can lower the non-responder rate at least by 50% without compromising sensitivity for detecting amendable patients. The current prospective, randomized, multi-center trial was therefore designed to prove that the characterization of the mechanical properties of the left ventricle can improve patient selection for CRT. Patients will be randomized into one of two study arms: a control study arm with treatment recommendation based on clinical guidelines criteria, or an experimental study arm with treatment recommendation based on the presence of mechanical dyssynchrony. All patients will receive a CRT implantation. In the control study arm, bi-ventricular pacing will be turned on. In the experimental study arm, bi-ventricular pacing will be turned on or off, depending on the presence or absence of mechanical dyssynchrony, respectively. The primary endpoint will be non-inferiority in outcome of a treatment recommendation based on mechanical dyssynchrony, achieved with a lower number of CRT devices implanted, effectively leading to a lower number needed to treat. Outcome measures are the average relative change in continuously measured LVESV per arm and the percentage 'worsened' according to the Packer Clinical Composite Score per arm after 1 year follow-up.

Eligibility

(- - - - - - - - - Inclusion Criteria - - - - - - - - -)

        The proposed inclusion criteria represent the minimum recommendations for CRT implantation
        in heart failure patients according to the ESC 2021 guidelines. In addition:
          -  Patient has a LVEF ≤ 35%
          -  Patient has a LVEDD ≥ 2.7cm/m² or LVEDD ≥ 50mm (m) and ≥45mm (f)
          -  Patient has been in a stable medical condition for ≥ 1 month prior inclusion
          -  Patient underwent complete revascularization in case of ischemia
          -  Patients is able to understand and willing to provide a written informed consent
          -  Patient is 18 years or older
        (- - - - - - - - - Exclusion Criteria - - - - - - - - -)
        Patients with the following conditions will be excluded:
          -  unreliable left ventricular volume measurements
          -  severe MR or more than moderate other valvular disease
          -  pulmonary hypertension, other than secondary to left heart disease
          -  patient on hemodialysis
          -  life expectancy < 1 year
          -  pregnant or breastfeeding
        Patients with prior right ventricular pacing between 20% to 80% will be excluded.
        Patients with prior right ventricular pacing ≤ 20% or no pacemaker / ICD will be excluded
        if they have any of the following criteria:
          -  PR duration > 250ms
          -  second / third degree atrioventricular block
          -  intrinsic QRS duration < 130ms
          -  atrial fibrillation with resting HR < 50/min or > 80/min
        Patients with prior right ventricular pacing ≥ 80% will be excluded if they have any of the
        following criteria:
          -  sensed AV delay > 250ms
          -  paced AV delay > 280ms
        Patients with a prior pacemaker / ICD scheduled for LBBaP will be excluded regardless of
        pacing percentage