CRT is a surgical procedure in which doctors implant a pacemaker in both the right and left sides of the heart to help your heart’s chambers beat together. The goal is to improve heart pumping function.
The lower chambers (ventricles) of your heart typically beat in sync. If they don’t, your heart pumping can be less efficient, and your heart can weaken. This can sometimes lead to heart failure.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a surgical procedure doctors can use to implant a pacemaker to treat the irregular heart rhythm contributing to heart failure. Doctors typically use this procedure in cases of severe heart failure where other treatments haven’t worked.
Keep reading to learn more about CRT, including who might be a candidate and what the research says about its benefits and risks.
Doctors may recommend CRT for people with moderate to severe heart failure and whose symptoms haven’t improved with other treatment methods.
Candidates for CRT typically have heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), aka systolic heart failure. Ejection fraction is a measure of how much blood your left ventricle can pump out each time it contracts. An ejection fraction of
Also called biventricular pacing, CRT aims to treat problems where the left and right sides of the heart don’t beat together as they should. By resynchronizing the two heart chambers, they can beat at the same time and then pump blood more effectively.
The main benefit of CRT is that it helps your heart beat regularly so it can pump blood throughout the rest of your body.
In turn, CRT
- shortness of breath during everyday activities, such as walking
- coughing
- fatigue
- weakness
- nausea
- swollen legs, feet, and ankles
- ascites (swelling in the abdomen)
People who qualify for CRT and undergo this treatment may experience fewer hospitalizations and an improved outlook.
During the CRT procedure, a doctor will make an incision to implant a small pacemaker in your chest, just below your collarbone. The device is relatively small, similar in size to that of a half-dollar.
The pacemaker also has
Before undergoing CRT, a doctor will also tell you how to look for possible signs and symptoms of an infection. Such symptoms include pain, redness or discoloration, and swelling at the site of implantation. You might also experience fever and chills.
Infections affect about
Other possible risks and complications of CRT
- bleeding at the surgery site
- hematoma (a pocket of pooled blood that may look like a bruise)
- dislodgment of the device
- damage to blood vessels
- coronary sinus perforation (rare)
- pneumothorax, or collapsed lung (rare)
CRT is a type of surgery. In the days leading up to the procedure, a doctor will run blood tests and perform a physical exam to ensure you’re a good candidate.
Your healthcare team will likely ask you to fast for at least
They may also ask you to stop taking any blood thinners for a short time before your procedure. Be sure to discuss any blood thinner use with your doctor.
At the hospital, you’ll receive intravenous antibiotics to help prevent an infection. Your care team will also clean your chest with an antiseptic.
After the surgeon installs your CRT device, you may be able to go home within a
After the initial implantation, a doctor may advise you to restrict arm movements on the side of the implant to help avoid dislodgment of the device. Restricted activities may include heavy lifting or raising your arm above your shoulder level for several weeks.
You may be able to return to most other everyday activities after a
A CRT device is a permanent type of pacemaker. You can expect regular doctor check-ins or visits to ensure the device is working properly.
Your doctor may tell you to use certain electrical devices
You may also need to avoid magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), radiation therapy, and certain other medical procedures. Always show your
It’s also important to carry your pacemaker ID card with you if you’re traveling, as the CRT device may set off metal detectors.
Due to the pacemaker’s ability to help synchronize the pumping of the left and right heart chambers, experts believe CRT is typically an effective treatment option for certain types of heart failure.
Medical procedures like CRT are most suitable for cases of heart failure that worsen and may not respond to other treatments,
Still, CRT doesn’t work for everyone. According to
CRT may not be an appropriate treatment for heart failure
- mild symptoms
- no current issues with the right and left chambers of your heart beating in unison
- diastolic heart failure
- decompensated heart failure
- a bleeding disorder
- an acute infection
- dementia
Also, a doctor may not recommend CRT in cases of chronic diseases or cancers that require palliative care or have a life expectancy rate of less than
What is life expectancy with a CRT device?
There’s currently
It’s difficult to determine a set life expectancy after CRT. Factors such as overall health and age at the time of procedure can
However, a
What is the difference between a pacemaker and cardiac resynchronization therapy?
A pacemaker is a device doctors implant to treat arrhythmia. These may be
A CRT (or biventricular) pacemaker has three leads that control both the right and left ventricles. Typical pacemakers can have only one or two leads and are only in one side of the heart.
What is the survival rate for cardiac resynchronization therapy?
While the exact survival rate for CRT depends on age and overall health,
How much does cardiac resynchronization therapy cost?
The exact cost of CRT may vary based on insurance, provider, and where you live, with total expenses totaling several thousand dollars.
CRT, or biventricular pacing, involves implanting a pacemaker to help treat arrhythmias in certain types of heart failure. The procedure is generally effective and may improve your symptoms and quality of life.
Talk with a doctor if you’re experiencing worsening symptoms of heart failure and want to consider other options. They will determine whether you’re a good candidate for CRT and review the benefits and risks with you.