Devices for Cardiac Resynchronization

Here is an essential text for cardiologists, heart surgeons, intensive care specialists and anyone interested in pacing. It is a comprehensive guide to contemporary devices used in the resynchronization of patients' heartbeats. The treatment of congestive heart failure by implanted biventricular pacemakers, or cardiac resynchronization, has revolutionized the practice of implanting pacemakers and defibrillators. More cardiac resynchronization therapy devices than conventional pacemakers are now being implanted and the numbers are growing worldwide.

S. Serge Barold, M.D., is Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of South Florida College of Medicine and Division of Cardiology, Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA. Philippe Ritter, M.D., is Chairman, Cardiostim InParys, St. Cloud, Clinique Bizet Paris, Clinique Chirurgicale Val d'Or, St. Cloud, Paris, France.

Do the Official Guidelines for CRT Need to be Changed'.- Alternative Techniques for Left Ventricular Lead Placement.- Importance of the Right Ventricular Pacing Site In Cardiac Resynchronization.- Alternative Means of Achieving Cardiac Resynchronization.- CRT-Pacing Only vs. CRT-Defibrillator.- Upgrading Conventional Pacemakers to CRT: Indications and Technical Considerations.- Update of Cardiac Resynchronization Trials.- Cardiac Resynchronization for Heart Failure: Do We Need More Trials'.- Should Cardiac Resynchronization be Considered for the Prevention of Heart Failure'.- Left Bundle Branch Block-Induced Cardiomyopathy: A New Concept of Mechanically-Induced Cardiomyopathy.- Role of Echocardiography before CRT Implantation. Can We Predict Non-Responders'.- Role of Echocardiography after Implantation of a Cardiac Resynchronization System.- Recent Advances in technology of CRT.- Advances in Left Ventricular Pacing Leads.- New Pacing Algorithms and Functions in CRT Devices.- Significance of Latency During Left Ventricular Pacing for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.- Programmability of the Interventricular (V-V) Interval during Cardiac Resynchronization.- Hemodynamic Sensors in Heart Failure Devices.- Assessment of Single Shock Defibrillation Testing of Biventricular ICDs.- How to Program CRT Devices.- Programming and Follow-up of CRT and CRTD Devices.- The Standard Electrocardiogram during Cardiac Resynchronization.- Cardiac Arrhythmias after Cardiac Resynchronization.- Advances in CRT Device Diagnostics.- Complex Issues in the Follow-up of CRT Devices.- Recurrent Heart Failure and Appropriate Evaluation after Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.- Index.