Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

The heart contains an electrical system that co-ordinates the contraction of its main pumping chamber. When the heart muscle is weakened by a prior heart attack or other causes of heart failure, the electrical system is often damaged as well and this results in the uncoordinated contraction of the heart muscle.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) aims to coordinate the contraction of the weakened heart using a special pacemaker or ICD that performs this function using an additional pacing lead not present in a standard pacemaker or ICD. CRT can improve the function of the heart, reducing symptoms of breathlessness and increasing survival. The benefits of CRT are seen in hearts where anatomical factors allow optimum placement of the leads, and the device is able to regulate the heart rate at all times.