Predictors of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Response: The Pivotal Role of Electrocardiogram

Heart failure affects millions of patients all over the world, and its treatment is a major clinical challenge. Cardiac dyssynchrony is common among patients with advanced heart failure. Resynchronization therapy is a major advancement in heart failure management, but unfortunately not all patients respond to this therapy. Hence, many diagnostic tests have been used to predict the response and prognosis after cardiac resynchronization therapy. In this paper we summarize the usefulness of different diagnostic modalities with special emphasis on the role of surface electrocardiogram as a major predictor of response to cardiac resynchronization therapy.