Moving towards a synchronized left ventricle

Excerpt

Left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony (LVMD) characterizes the difference in timing of mechanical contraction between different segments of the left ventricle. Notably, LVMD is not equal to electrical dyssynchrony, which is commonly measured by the QRS duration. While both are commonly present at the same time, they can also present independently of each other.1,2 Dyssynchronous mechanical systolic contraction is of relevance due to its relationship with adverse outcomes and hypothetical role in patient selection for and procedural guidance of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Asynchronous mechanical contraction results in an impaired left ventricular contractile efficiency. …