Echocardiographic analysis
Transthoracic and transosephageal echocardiograpy were performed with
Vivid E9 Ultrasound system (GE Healtcare, Waukesha, WI, USA), which had
both multiplane 2 dimensional and real time 3 dimensional imaging
capacity. In accordance with the guides of American Echocardiography
Association, left ventricle end systolic diameters (LVESD) and
end-diastolic diamaters(LVEDD) were measured in the parasternal
long-axis view in resting state , using transthoracic echocardiography
(TTE) . Left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) was calculated with
three dimensional echocardiographic method. In order to determine the
severity of MR, proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA) method was
utilized. ERO (Effective regurgitant orifice area) and RV ( Regurgitant
Volume ) measurements were carried out at both before CRT implantation
and at the end of 3. month follow up control.
Responder / Non-responder Definiton: As recommended by the guides, over
0.1 cm2 decrease in ERO and 15ml and higher decrease
in RV at the third month control TTE examination was regarded as
improvement in MR and patients were divided into responder and
non-responders according to this cutoff value.