Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41509988›Full record

ArticleEuropean heart journal. Imaging methods and practice2026

How to visually diagnose mechanical dyssynchrony in cardiac resynchronization therapy candidates using echocardiography.

Pedro G Diogo, Kenji Demesure, Alexis Puvrez, Gábor Vörös, Jürgen Duchenne, Jens-Uwe Voigt

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in European heart journal. Imaging methods and practice, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Pedro G DiogoDepartment of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven 3000, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1028-4890
Kenji DemesureDepartment of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
Alexis PuvrezDepartment of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
Gábor VörösDepartment of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven 3000, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3077-0914
Jürgen DuchenneDepartment of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
Jens-Uwe VoigtDepartment of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven 3000, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0575-1888

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves outcomes in patients with heart failure and broad QRS complex, yet 20-45% do not respond. Mechanical dyssynchrony (MechDys)-identified visually by septal flash and/or apical rocking (SFoAR)-is strongly associated with CRT benefit. This 'How to' paper outlines a practical four-step workflow for the visual assessment of MechDys. First, a high-quality, multi-view echocardiographic acquisition is essential. Second, septal flash4 (SF) is recognized as an early leftward septal motion, often with rebound, preceding lateral wall contraction; its magnitude depends on conduction delay, myocardial contractility, and right heart loading. Third, ApR is identified as a biphasic apical motion reflecting sequential septal and lateral wall contractions; its appearance may be modified by scarring, pacing, or imaging artefacts. MechDys is confirmed when either motion pattern is present. Clinically, the visual assessment of MechDys may improve patient selection for CRT, thus improving response rates. The ongoing AMEND-CRT trial is evaluating whether incorporating SFoAR assessment is non-inferior to guideline recommendations. Pending prospective evidence, existing observational data supports the use of visual assessment of MechDys to guide decision-making in patients with intermediate CRT indications.

Indexed as

apical rockingcardiac resynchronization therapyechocardiographyleft bundle branch blockmechanical dyssynchronyseptal flash

Identifiers

PMID41509988
PMCPMC12777970

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.