Mechanical dyssynchrony in dilated cardiomyopathy with intraventricular conduction delay as depicted by 3D tagged magnetic resonance imaging.

Recent studies have generated interest in the potential for left or biventricular pacing to improve cardiac function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and intraventricular conduction delays.1 2 3 4 The premise is that these hearts display profound basal mechanical dyssynchrony and that pacing can restore synchronization and, thereby, improve function. Here, we demonstrate the extent of mechanical dyssynchrony in such patients. Images were generated by tagged magnetic resonance …