Introduction
Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with multipoint pacing (MPP)
shortens the QRS duration1 and improves outcomes
compared to single-point left ventricular (LV)
pacing.2,3 However, MPP causes higher battery
drain.4-6 On the other hand, electrocardiographic
optimization using the fusion-optimized intervals (FOI) method also
shortens the QRS duration7-9 and achieves greater LV
reverse remodeling than nominal programming.10
The magnitude of QRS shortening is associated with clinical and
prognostic improvements in patients with CRT11 and
serves as a surrogate for the cardiac activation time. The activation
time can be measured through electrocardiographic imaging (ECGI) using
body surface potential mapping. Thus, ECGI yields a high-resolution
single-beat ventricular activation map.12
The objective of the present study was to determine whether MPP could
attain better resynchronization than single-point pacing (SPP) optimized
by FOI.