Overview

CRT or Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy is a treatment that helps people with heart failure and irregular electrical signals in the heart pump blood more effectively. In this procedure a biventricular pacemakeris placed into the body to help the left and right ventricles contract at the same time. In some cases, the device has a defibrillator (CRT-D) that can help treat serious heart rhythm problems. The device sends electrical signals to both sides of the heart, helping them beat together. People with bundle branch block, a condition that disrupts the heart's electrical signals and affects its function, often see significant improvements with CRT.

Why it's Done?
Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is recommended for individuals with moderate to severe heart failure. This is the case when their symptoms persist despite treatment with the most effective medical options.
When this happens, the heart's chambers might not be working together properly, which means the heart isn't pumping blood as efficiently as it should.
CRT helps the heart work better, makes symptoms like shortness of breath and tiredness less severe, and lowers the risk of hospitalization. It could also help some patients live longer.

What to Expect?
Before receiving a CRT device, patients undergo testing to assess heart function and the electrical system's activity. This includes an ECG, echocardiography, and blood tests. It's important to fast prior to the procedure.

Local anesthesia and sedation are used during CRT implantation. During the procedure, wires are threaded through veins, reaching the right atrium, right ventricle, and a vein on the outer surface of the left ventricle. These leads connect to the CRT device. The CRT device is placed under the skin near the collarbone. The CRT device is programmed to synchronize with the heart's natural rhythm. The entire procedure usually takes two to four hours. After the device is implanted, patients are closely monitored to assess its effectiveness and to monitor their heart rhythm. Typically, hospital stays last a day or two.

Recovery & Outlook
Typically, a positive trajectory is observed, although some patients may experience localized discomfort at the implant site. A temporary limitation on arm movement is recommended. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has the potential to substantially alleviate symptoms, enhance exercise tolerance, and improve overall quality of life. Furthermore, it may decrease mortality rates and the frequency of hospitalizations among individuals diagnosed with heart failure.