Cor Vasa 2026, 68(5):574-583 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2026.067

(Innovations and new approaches in cardiac resynchronization therapy)

Jan Řeháček, Petr Oą»ádal, Jakub Honěk
Kardiologická klinika, 2. lékařská fakulta Univerzity Karlovy a Fakultní nemocnice Motol a Homolka, pracoviątě Motol, Praha, Česká republika

The article summarizes the key directions and innovations in cardiac resynchronization therapy with the greatest anticipated impact on clinical practice. The introduction discusses the pathophysiology of cardiac dyssynchrony and reviews diagnostic methods and workflows (including modern techniques such as ultra -high-frequency ECG and new approaches to ultrasound assessment). In subsequent sections, we also describe new techniques for lead implantation including His bundle pacing and left bundle branch area pacing. These approaches aim to reduce the proportion of patients who do not respond to resynchronization therapy.

Keywords: Cardiac dyssynchrony, Cardiac resynchronization therapy, Conduction system pacing, Heart failure, Left bundle branch area pacing

Received: January 9, 2026; Revised: January 9, 2026; Accepted: July 23, 2026; Prepublished online: September 23, 2026; Published: October 20, 2026  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Řeháček J, Oą»ádal P, Honěk J. (Innovations and new approaches in cardiac resynchronization therapy). Cor Vasa. 2026;68(5):574-583. doi: 10.33678/cor.2026.067.
Download citation

References

  1. Glikson M, Burri H, Abdin A, et al. European Society of Cardiology (ESC) clinical consensus statement on indications for conduction system pacing, with special contribution of the European Heart Rhythm Association of the ESC and endorsed by the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society, the Canadian Heart Rhythm Society, the Heart Rhythm Society, and the Latin American Heart Rhythm Society. Europace 2025;27:euaf050. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  2. Al Hennawi H, Khan MK, Khalid M, et al. Beyond biventricular pacing: Exploring the advantages of his-bundle pacing and left bundle branch pacing in heart failure-A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 2024;47:156-166. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  3. Mullens W, Dauw J, Gustafsson F, et al. Integration of implantable device therapy in patients with heart failure. A clinical consensus statement from the Heart Failure Association (HFA) and European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA ) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Eur J Heart Fail 2024;26:483-501. Go to original source...
  4. Scarà A, Palamà Z, Robles AG, et al. Non-Pharmacological Treatment of Heart Failure-From Physical Activity to Electrical Therapies: A Literature Review. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2024;11:122. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  5. Puvrez A, Duchenne J, Donal E, et al. Mechanical dyssynchrony as a selection criterion for cardiac resynchronization therapy: Design of the AMEND-CRT trial. ESC Heart Fail 2024;11:4390- 4399. Go to original source...
  6. Cleland JGF, Erdmann E, Kappenberger L. The Effect of Cardiac Resynchronization on Morbidity and Mortality in Heart Failure. N Engl J Med 2005;352:1539-1549. Go to original source...
  7. Aalen JM, Donal E, Larsen CK, et al. Imaging predictors of response to cardiac resynchronization therapy: left ventricular work asymmetry by echocardiography and septal viability by cardiac magnetic resonance. Eur Heart J 2020;41:3813-3823. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  8. Bax JJ, Gorcsan J. Echocardiography and Noninvasive Imaging in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. J Am Coll Cardiol 2009;53:1933-1943. Go to original source...
  9. Bazoukis G, Thomopoulos C, Tse G, et al. Global longitudinal strain predicts responders after cardiac resynchronization therapy-a systematic review and meta-analysis. Heart Fail Rev 2022;27:827-836. Go to original source...
  10. Bernard A, Menet A, Marechaux S, et al. Predicting Clinical and Echocardiographic Response After Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy With a Score Combining Clinical, Electrocardiographic, and Echocardiographic Parameters. Am J Cardiol 2017;119:1797-1802. Go to original source...
  11. Hua J, Chen Y, Yu J, et al. Long-term outcomes of left bundle branch area pacing versus biventricular pacing in patients with heart failure and complete left bundle branch block. Heart Vessels 2022;37:1162-1174. Go to original source...
  12. Pradhan A, Saggu D, Bhandari M. Left bundle branch pacing cardiac resynchronization therapy vs biventricular pacing cardiac resynchronization therapy-time to write a requiem for biventricular pacing-cardiac resynchronization therapy. World J Cardiol 2025;17:103356. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  13. Prinz C, Felice CD, Lehmann R, et al. Rethinking cardiac resynchronization therapy: The impact of ventricular dyssynchrony on outcome. Int J Cardiol 2013;168:3932-3939. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  14. Tokavanich N, Prasitlumkum N, Mongkonsritragoon W, et al. QRS area as a predictor of cardiac resynchronization therapy response: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 2022;45:393-400. Go to original source...
  15. Van Everdingen WM, Cramer MJ, Doevendans PA, Meine M. Quadripolar Leads in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2015;1:225-237. Go to original source...
  16. Wu S, Su L, Vijayaraman P, et al. Left Bundle Branch Pacing for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: Nonrandomized On-Treatment Comparison With His Bundle Pacing and Biventricular Pacing. Can J Cardiol 2021;37:319-328. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  17. Yu G, Kim T, Cho Y, et al. Left bundle branch area pacing in mildly reduced heart failure: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Clin Cardiol 2023;46:713-720. Go to original source...
  18. Chen X, Ye Y, Wang Z, et al. Cardiac resynchronization therapy via left bundle branch pacing vs. optimized biventricular pacing with adaptive algorithm in heart failure with left bundle branch block: a prospective, multi-centre, observational study. EP Eur 2022;24:807-816. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  19. Süssenbek O, Poláąek R, Bulava A, et al. (Conduction system pacing, classification, operation techniques, and methods used to confirm ventricular capture type in pacemaker implantation). Cor Vasa 2022;64:423-435. Go to original source...
  20. Catrina BI, Batar F, Manitiu I, et al. Concepts of Cardiac Dyssynchrony and Dynamic Approach. Diagnostics 2024;14:937. Go to original source...
  21. Janouąek J, Tomek V, Chaloupecký V, et al. Cardiac resynchronization therapy: A novel adjunct to the treatment and prevention of systemic right ventricular failure. J Am Coll Cardiol 2004;44:1927-1931. Go to original source...
  22. Nguyên UC, Vernooy K, Prinzen FW. Quest for the ideal assessment of electrical ventricular dyssynchrony in cardiac resynchronization therapy. J Mol Cell Cardiol Plus 2024;7:100061. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  23. Cheitlin MD. Antiarrhythmic Effect of Reverse Ventricular Remodeling Induced by Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: The InSync ICD (Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator) Italian Registry. Yearb Cardiol 2009;2009:388-391. Go to original source...
  24. Strauss DG, Selvester RH, Wagner GS. Defining Left Bundle Branch Block in the Era of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. Am J Cardiol 2011;107:927-934. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  25. Beshai JF, Grimm RA, Nagueh SF, et al. Cardiac-Resynchronization Therapy in Heart Failure with Narrow QRS Complexes. N Engl J Med 2007;357:2461-2471. Go to original source...
  26. Ruschitzka F, Abraham WT, Singh JP, et al. Cardiac-Resynchronization Therapy in Heart Failure with a Narrow QRS Complex. N Engl J Med 2013;369:1395-1405. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  27. Chen Z, Qu Q, Cheang I, et al. Prognostic value of mechanical dyssynchrony in patients with heart failure: a systematic review. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2024;24:674. Go to original source...
  28. Layec J, Decroocq M, Delelis F, et al. Dyssynchrony and Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Heart Failure Patients With Unfavorable Electrical Characteristics. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2023;16:873-884. Go to original source...
  29. Stoiculescu FM, Hădăreanu DR, Hădăreanu CD, et al. Refining cardiac resynchronization therapy: a comprehensive review on the role of advanced multimodality imaging. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024;11:1406899. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  30. Lindenfeld J, Costanzo MR, Zile MR, et al. Implantable Hemodynamic Monitors Improve Survival in Patients With Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction. J Am Coll Cardiol 2024;83:682-694. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  31. Sharif ZI, Galand V, Hucker WJ, Singh JP. Evolving Cardiac Electrical Therapies for Advanced Heart Failure Patients. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2021;14:e009668. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  32. Jastrzębski M, Foley P, Chandrasekaran B, et al. Multicenter Hemodynamic Assessment of the LOT-CRT Strategy: When Does Combining Left Bundle Branch Pacing and Coronary Venous Pacing Enhance Resynchronization?: Primary Results of the CSPOT Study. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2024;17:e013059. Go to original source...
  33. Linde C, Abraham WT, Gold MR, et al. Randomized Trial of Cardiac Resynchronization in Mildly Symptomatic Heart Failure Patients and in Asymptomatic Patients With Left Ventricular Dysfunction and Previous Heart Failure Symptoms. J Am Coll Cardiol 2008;52:1834-1843. Go to original source...
  34. Chung ES, Leon AR, Tavazzi L, et al. Results of the Predictors of Response to CRT (PROSPECT) Trial. Circulation 2008;117:2608- 2616. Go to original source...
  35. Stankovic I, Prinz C, Ciarka Aet al. Relationship of visually assessed apical rocking and septal flash to response and long-term survival following cardiac resynchronization therapy (PREDICT-CRT). Eur Heart J - Cardiovasc Imaging 2016;17:262- 269. Go to original source...
  36. Tokavanich N, Prasitlumkum N, Mongkonsritragoon W, et al. A network meta-analysis and systematic review of change in QRS duration after left bundle branch pacing, His bundle pacing, biventricular pacing, or right ventricular pacing in patients requiring permanent pacemaker. Sci Rep 2021;11:12200. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  37. Cao Z, Chen X, Su L, Hou X. Cardiac resynchronization therapy for patients with heart failure and nonspecific intraventricular conduction delay. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 2023;46:913-923. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  38. Cleland JGF, Bristow MR, Freemantle N, et al. The effect of cardiac resynchronization without a defibrillator on morbidity and mortality: an individual patient data meta-analysis of COMPANION and CARE-HF. Eur J Heart Fail 2022;24:1080- 1090. Go to original source...
  39. Glikson M, Nielsen JC, Kronborg MB, et al. 2021 ESC Guidelines on cardiac pacing and cardiac resynchronization therapy. Eur Heart J 2021;42(35):3427-3520. Go to original source...
  40. Tang ASL, Wells GA, Talajic M, et al. Cardiac-Resynchronization Therapy for Mild-to-Moderate Heart Failure. N Engl J Med 2010;363:2385-2395. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  41. Singh JP, Berger RD, Doshi RN, et al. Rationale and design for ENHANCE CRT: QLV implant strategy for non-left bundle branch block patients. ESC Heart Fail 2018;5:1184-1190. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  42. Eerenberg F, Luermans J, Lumens J, et al. Exploring QRS Area beyond Patient Selection in CRT-Can It Guide Left Ventricular Lead Placement? J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2024;11:18. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  43. Dural M, Eerenberg F, Smits KC, et al. Vectorcardiography in CRT: What We Know and What There Is to Learn. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2025;12:177. Go to original source...
  44. Hindricks G, Taborsky M, Glikson M, et al. Implant-based multiparameter telemonitoring of patients with heart failure (IN- TIME): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2014;384:583-590. Go to original source...
  45. Khan FZ, Virdee MS, Palmer CR, et al. Targeted Left Ventricular Lead Placement to Guide Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. J Am Coll Cardiol 2012;59:1509-1518. Go to original source...
  46. Burri H, Jastrzebski M, Cano Ó, et al. EHRA clinical consensus statement on conduction system pacing implantation: endorsed by the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS), Canadian Heart Rhythm Society (CHRS), and Latin American Heart Rhythm Society (LAHRS). Europace 2023;25:1208-1236. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  47. Nguyên UC, Rijks JHJ, Plesinger F, et al. Ultra-High-Frequency ECG in Cardiac Pacing and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: From Technical Concept to Clinical Application. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2024;11:76. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  48. Allen LaPointe NM, Ali Ahmed F, Dalgaard F, et al. Cardiac resynchronization therapy outcomes with left ventricular lead concordant with latest mechanical activation: A meta-analysis. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 2022;45:930-939. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  49. Antoniou N, Kalaitzoglou M, Tsigkriki L, et al. Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in Patients with Non-Ischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy Who Undergo Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: A Narrative Review. Diagnostics 2024;14:1178. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  50. De Vere F, Wijesuriya N, Howell S, et al. Optimizing outcomes from cardiac resynchronization therapy: what do recent data and insights say? Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther 2024;22:663-680. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  51. Ellenbogen KA, Gold MR, Meyer TE, et al. Primary Results From the SmartDelay Determined AV Optimization: A Comparison to Other AV Delay Methods Used in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (SMART-AV) Trial: A Randomized Trial Comparing Empirical, Echocardiography-Guided, and Algorithmic Atrioventricular Delay Programming in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. Circulation 2010;122:2660-2668. Go to original source...
  52. Bessière F, Mondésert B, Chaix MA, Khairy P. Arrhythmias in adults with congenital heart disease and heart failure. Heart Rhythm O2 2021;2(6Part B):744-753. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  53. Mehta VS, Ayis S, Elliott MK, et al. The role of guidance in delivering cardiac resynchronization therapy: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Heart Rhythm O2 2022;3:482-492. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  54. Moore JP, De Groot NMS, O'Connor M, et al. Conduction System Pacing Versus Conventional Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Congenital Heart Disease. JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2023;9:385-393. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  55. Wouters PC, Vernooy K, Cramer MJ, et al. Optimizing lead placement for pacing in dyssynchronous heart failure: The patient in the lead. Heart Rhythm 2021;18:1024-1032. Go to original source...
  56. Saba S, Marek J, Schwartzman D, et al. Echocardiography- Guided Left Ventricular Lead Placement for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: Results of the Speckle Tracking Assisted Resynchronization Therapy for Electrode Region Trial. Circ Heart Fail 2013;6:427-434. Go to original source...
  57. Liu J, Sun F, Wang Z, et al. Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing vs. Biventricular Pacing for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: A Meta-Analysis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021;8:669301. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  58. Shivakumar N, Friedman DJ, Fudim M, et al. Outcomes of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy by New York Heart Association Class: A Patient-Level Meta-Analysis. J Am Heart Assoc 2024;13:e031785. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  59. Yousaf A, Ahmad S, Peltz J, et al. Left bundle branch area pacing vs biventricular pacing for cardiac resynchronization: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Heart Rhythm O2 2023;4:671-680. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  60. Bristow MR, Krueger S, Carson P, White BG. Cardiac- Resynchronization Therapy with or without an Implantable Defibrillator in Advanced Chronic Heart Failure. N Engl J Med. 2004;350:2140-2150. Go to original source...
  61. Moss AJ, Hall WJ, Cannom DS, et al. Cardiac-Resynchronization Therapy for the Prevention of Heart-Failure Events. N Engl J Med 2009;361:1329-1338. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  62. Sapp JL, Sivakumaran S, Redpath CJ, et al. Long-Term Outcomes of Resynchronization-Defibrillation for Heart Failure. N Engl J Med 2024;390:212-220. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  63. Ypenburg C, Van Bommel RJ, Delgado V, et al. Optimal Left Ventricular Lead Position Predicts Reverse Remodeling and Survival After Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. J Am Coll Cardiol 2008;52:1402-1409. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  64. Brignole M, Pentimalli F, Palmisano P, et al. AV junction ablation and cardiac resynchronization for patients with permanent atrial fibrillation and narrow QRS: the APAF-CRT mortality trial. Eur Heart J 2021;42:4731-4739. Go to original source...
  65. Cacciapuoti F, Mauro C, Caso I, et al. The Functional and Imaging Implications of Left Bundle Branch Pacing in Ischemic Cardiomyopathy. Biomolecules 2025;15:489. Go to original source...
  66. Thibault B, Ducharme A, Harel F, et al. Left Ventricular Versus Simultaneous Biventricular Pacing in Patients With Heart Failure and a QRS Complex ≥120 Milliseconds. Circulation 2011;124:2874-2881. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  67. Starling RC, Krum H, Bril S, et al. Impact of a Novel Adaptive Optimization Algorithm on 30-Day Readmissions. JACC Heart Fail 2015;3:565-572. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  68. Wilkoff BL, Filippatos G, Leclercq C, et al. Adaptive versus conventional cardiac resynchronisation therapy in patients with heart failure (AdaptResponse): a global, prospective, randomised controlled trial. The Lancet září 2023;402:1147- 1157. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  69. Jin C, Dai Q, Li P, et al. Left bundle branch area pacing for heart failure patients requiring cardiac resynchronization therapy: A meta-analysis. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2023;34:1933-1943. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  70. Vijayaraman P, Pokharel P, Subzposh FA, et al. His-Purkinje Conduction System Pacing Optimized Trial of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy vs Biventricular Pacing. JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2023;9:2628-2638. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  71. Strocchi M, Lee AWC, Neic A, et al. His-bundle and left bundle pacing with optimized atrioventricular delay achieve superior electrical synchrony over endocardial and epicardial pacing in left bundle branch block patients. Heart Rhythm 2020;17:1922- 1929. Go to original source...
  72. Upadhyay GA, Vijayaraman P, Nayak HM, et al. His Corrective Pacing or Biventricular Pacing for Cardiac Resynchronization in Heart Failure. J Am Coll Cardiol 2019;74:157-159. Go to original source...
  73. Upadhyay GA, Vijayaraman P, Nayak HM, et al. Ontreatment comparison between corrective His bundle pacing and biventricular pacing for cardiac resynchronization: A secondary analysis of the His-SYNC Pilot Trial. Heart Rhythm 2019;16:1797-1807. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  74. ®iľek D, Antolič B, Meľnar AZ, et al. Biventricular versus His bundle pacing after atrioventricular node ablation in heart failure patients with narrow QRS. Acta Cardiol 2022;77:222- 230. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  75. Simader F, Arnold A, Whinnett Z. Comparison of methods for delivering cardiac resynchronization therapy: electrical treatment targets and mechanisms of action. Expert Rev Med Devices 2023;20:337-348. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  76. Li X, Qiu C, Xie R, et al. Left bundle branch area pacing delivery of cardiac resynchronization therapy and comparison with biventricular pacing. ESC Heart Fail 2020;7:1711-1722. Go to original source...
  77. Wang Y, Zhu H, Hou X, et al. Randomized Trial of Left Bundle Branch vs Biventricular Pacing for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. J Am Coll Cardiol 2022;80:1205-1216. Go to original source...
  78. El Iskandarani M, Golamari R, Shatla I, et al. Left bundle branch area pacing in heart failure: A systematic review and metaanalysis with meta-regression. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2024;35:1536-1547. Go to original source...
  79. Rijks J, Luermans J, Heckman L, et al. Physiology of Left Ventricular Septal Pacing and Left Bundle Branch Pacing. Card Electrophysiol Clin 2022;14:181-189. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  80. Vijayaraman P, Chelu MG, Curila K, et al. Cardiac Conduction System Pacing. JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2023;9:2358-2387. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  81. Vijayaraman P, Ponnusamy S, Cano Ó, et al. Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2021;7:135-147. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  82. Diaz JC, Gabr M, Tedrow UB, et al. Improved all-cause mortality with left bundle branch area pacing compared to biventricular pacing in cardiac resynchronization therapy: a meta-analysis. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 2024;67:1463-1476. Go to original source...
  83. Vijayaraman P, Sharma PS, Cano Ó, et al. Comparison of Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing and Biventricular Pacing in Candidates for Resynchronization Therapy. J Am Coll Cardiol 2023;82:228-241. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  84. Leventopoulos G, Nastouli KM, Bozika M, et al. Understanding LOT-CRT: Current Insights, Limitations, and Our Center's Experience. J Clin Med 2025;14:3025. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  85. Varma N, Michalski J, Epstein AE, Schweikert R. Automatic Remote Monitoring of Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Lead and Generator Performance: The Lumos-T Safely RedUceS RouTine Office Device Follow-Up (TRUST) Trial. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2010;3:428-436. Go to original source...
  86. Abraham WT, Adamson PB, Bourge RC, et al. Wireless pulmonary artery haemodynamic monitoring in chronic heart failure: a randomised controlled trial. The Lancet 2011;377:658- 666. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  87. Marrouche NF, Brachmann J, Andresen D, et al. Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation with Heart Failure. N Engl J Med 2018;378:417-427. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0), which permits non-comercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.