CRT devices: Echo vs Electrical optimisation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Echocardiography in comparison to electrical optimisation for Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy (CRT) devices: is there a difference?
IRAS ID
213786
Contact name
Paul Gray
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS National Waiting Times Board
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 5 days
Research summary
Heart failure is a complex syndrome which causes a reduction in the hearts ability to efficiently pump blood around the body. The heart has two top receiving chambers (atria) and two bottom pumping chambers (ventricles). During a normal heart beat the blood moves from the top chambers to the bottom chambers. In heart failure there is a discoordination of the contracting ventricles, which results in less blood being pumped out the heart. In order to coordinate the pumping action of the heart Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) devices are used. These devices aim to stimulate the heart into beating at the correct time. Crucially, the timing of atrial (top chamber) contraction contributes to overall movement of blood through the heart. The timing of the atrial contraction and the proceeding ventricular contraction can be optimised in CRT devices. Echocardiography is used to visualise this movement of blood and the CRT can be programmed to optimize this timing to allow the full emptying of the atria into the ventricles.
The aim of this study is to standarise optimisation practices within the department. This could potentially give patients better outcomes after the implatation of their CRT device.REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/0265
Date of REC Opinion
8 Feb 2017
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion