Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) is an advanced medical treatment designed to help individuals with heart failure, particularly those whose heart’s electrical system is not functioning properly. This therapy involves using a specialized pacemaker to restore the heart’s normal rhythm, improving its efficiency and reducing symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and fluid retention. CRT is often recommended for patients with moderate to severe heart failure and is proven to improve the quality of life and reduce hospitalization rates.
How CRT Works
In heart failure, the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively is compromised, and in some cases, the electrical signals that control the heartbeat become uncoordinated. This is called dyssynchrony, where the left and right ventricles of the heart do not beat in sync. CRT works by delivering electrical impulses to both ventricles simultaneously, helping them contract together in a coordinated manner. This synchronization improves the heart’s overall pumping action and boosts circulation throughout the body.
Who Can Benefit from CRT?
CRT is typically recommended for individuals with the following conditions:
- Moderate to severe heart failure (often classified as NYHA class III or IV).
- A reduced ejection fraction, typically below 35%, indicates the heart’s diminished ability to pump blood.
- A widened QRS complex on an electrocardiogram (ECG), shows that the ventricles are not contracting in sync.
- Persistent heart failure symptoms despite optimal medical therapy, including medications and lifestyle modifications.
By addressing the dyssynchrony, CRT can significantly improve a patient’s exercise capacity, reduce symptoms of heart failure, and enhance overall heart function.
The CRT Device
The CRT device is similar to a traditional pacemaker but includes an additional lead to stimulate both ventricles. This device is implanted under the skin, near the collarbone, and is connected to the heart through insulated wires (leads). These leads deliver timed electrical impulses to the heart, ensuring that the ventricles contract together in a coordinated fashion. The procedure to implant a CRT device is minimally invasive and usually takes a few hours under local anesthesia.
Benefits of CRT
- Improved Heart Function: CRT helps the heart pump more efficiently by synchronizing ventricular contractions, increasing blood flow to vital organs.
- Symptom Relief: Many patients experience significant improvements in symptoms like fatigue, breathlessness, and swelling.
- Reduced Hospitalizations: CRT has been shown to decrease the number of hospital visits due to heart failure exacerbations.
- Enhanced Quality of Life: Patients often report a better ability to perform daily activities and an overall improvement in their well-being.
- Increased Survival Rates: CRT has been associated with longer survival rates in patients with severe heart failure.
