DANISH-CRT Trial: Targeted and Standard CRT Lead Placement Show Similar Outcomes

The DANISH-CRT trial results were presented at ESC Congress 2026 in Munich and published simultaneously in The Lancet.

The study, which included 1,000 patients with heart failure and left bundle branch block (LBBB), found no significant difference in death or heart failure hospitalization rates between targeted and standard placement of the left ventricular lead.

After a median follow-up of 45.8 months, death or first unplanned hospitalization for heart failure occurred in 27.9% of patients in the targeted placement group and 25.5% in the standard placement group, a difference that was not statistically significant.

Secondary endpoints, including left ventricular structural changes, quality of life, and physical capacity, showed similar results. Numerically, more lead-related complications were observed with targeted placement.

Principal Investigator Professor Jens Cosedis Nielsen stated that the findings do not support routine electrical mapping to target left ventricular lead placement in current CRT practice. Further analyses will explore which patient subgroups benefit most from CRT.