A new method to recommend left ventricular lead positions for improved CRT volumetric response and long-term prognosis

Objectives Using ECG-gated single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), we sought to develop and validate a new method to recommend left ventricular (LV) lead positions in order to improve volumetric response and long-term prognosis after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Methods Seventy-nine patients received gated SPECT MPI at baseline, and echocardiography at baseline and follow-up. The volumetric response referred to a reduction of >= 15% in LV end-systolic volume 6 months after CRT. After excluding apical, septal, and scarred segments, there were three levels of recommended segments: (1) the optimal recommendation: the latest contracting viable segment; (2) the 2nd recommendation: the late contracting viable segments whose contraction delays were within 10 degrees of the optimal recommendation; and (3) the 3rd recommendation: the viable segments adjacent to the optimal recommendation when there was no late contracting viable segment. Results After excluding 11 patients whose LV lead was placed in apical or scarred segments, 75.6% of the patients concordant to recommended LV segments (n = 41) responded to CRT while 51.9% of those with non-recommended LV lead locations (n = 27) were responders (P = .043). Response rates were 76.9%, 76.9% , and 73.3% (P = .967), respectively, when LV lead was implanted in the optimal recommendation (n = 13), the 2nd recommendation (n = 13), and the 3rd recommendation (n = 15). LV leads placed at recommended segments reduced composite events of all-cause mortality or heart failure (HF) rehospitalization compared with pacing at non-recommended segments (log-rank chi(2) = 5.623, P = .018). Conclusions Pacing in the recommended LV lead segments identified on gated SPECT MPI was associated with improved volumetric response to CRT and long-term prognosis.

Automated summary

Using ECG-gated SPECT MPI to recommend LV lead positions improved volumetric response and long-term prognosis after CRT, with recommended segments showing higher response rates and reduced composite events of all-cause mortality or HF rehospitalization compared to non-recommended segments.