Advanced cardiac imaging in heart failure : from subclinical myocardial dysfunction to therapy optimization

Abstract

Advanced echocardiographic techniques permit assessment of left ventricular dyssynchrony in overt heart failure patients and provide important prognostic data. These techniques may guide patients__ selection for cardiac resynchronization therapy and device optimization. Global left ventricular longitudinal 2-dimensional strain may help detect early stages of myocardial dysfunction in diabetic patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. Novel cardiac magnetic resonance imaging sequence analysis may allow tissue characterization, quantification of diffuse fibrosis and detection of early alterations in ventriculo-arterial coupling. Advanced cardiac imaging provides invaluable information at every stage of the heart failure syndrome. It may help identify an earlier stage of the disease, help to select patients for cardiac resynchronization therapy, tailor therapies in selected individuals and offer important prognostic information.