Changes in parameters of right ventricular function with cardiac resynchronization therapy

Clin Cardiol. 2017 Nov;40(11):1033-1043. doi: 10.1002/clc.22762. Epub 2017 Sep 12.

Abstract

Background: Studies have shown that cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) significantly improves right ventricle (RV) size and function in patients with heart failure (HF).

Hypothesis: CRT does not lead to improvement in RV function independent of baseline clinical variables.

Methods: A systematic search of studies published between 1966 to August 31, 2015 was conducted using Pub Med, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL and the Web of Science databases. Studies reporting tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) or RV basal strain or RV long axis diameter or RV short axis diameter or RV fractional area change (FAC), before and after CRT, were identified. A meta-analysis was performed using random effects with inverse variance method to determine the pooled mean difference in various parameters of RV function after CRT. Meta-regression analysis was performed to test the relationship between change in various parameters of RV functions after CRT and covariates- age, QRS duration, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Results: Thirteen studies (N=1541) were selected for final analysis. CRT therapy led to statistically significant increases in TAPSE [1.21 (95% CI 0.55-1.86; p<0.001)], RV FAC [2.26 (95% CI 0.50-4.01; p<0.001)] and basal strain [2.82 (95% CI 0.59-5.05; p<0.001)] and statistically significant decreases in mean RV long axis diameter [-2.94 (95% CI -5.07- -0.82; p=0.005)] and short axis diameter [-1.39 (95% CI -2.10- -0.67; p=0.876)] after a mean follow up period of 9 months. However, after meta-regression analysis for age, QRS duration, and baseline LVEF as covariates, there was no significant improvement in any of the parameters of RV function after CRT.

Conclusion: There was a statistically significant improvement in TAPSE, RV basal strain, RV fractional area, RV long axis and short axis with CRT. However, improvement in these echocardiographic parameters of RV function after CRT was not independent of baseline clinical variables but statistically dependent on age, QRS duration and baseline LVEF.

Keywords: cardiac resynchronization therapy; right ventricular function.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy*
  • Echocardiography
  • Female
  • Heart Failure / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Failure / physiopathology
  • Heart Failure / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Recovery of Function
  • Stroke Volume
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / diagnostic imaging
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / physiopathology
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / therapy*
  • Ventricular Function, Left
  • Ventricular Function, Right*