Heart Failure Device (CRT-D) Implant Video

A heart failure device, also called a CRT or cardiac re synchronization therapy , treats certain types of heart failure. When the heart's lower chambers (ventricles) pump or contract in an uncoordinated way, it is called dyssynchrony. The CRT device treats cardiac dyssynchrony. CRT stands for cardiac re synchronization therapy. It gets its name because the device helps “re synchronize,” or re-coordinate, the pumping of the ventricles, which is referred to as bi- ventricular pacing of the heart.

A device implant is a procedure that uses local numbing. General anesthesia usually is not needed.

There are two types of CRT devices:

• A CRT-P device is a special kind of pacemaker. A regular pacemaker sends tiny amounts of energy to one side of the heart. This electrical treatment is called pacing therapy. A CRT device delivers pacing to both ventricles—both sides of the heart. This is why the CRT-P device is sometimes called a biventricular pacemaker.

• A CRT-D device offers the same type of pacing therapy described as a CRT-P device. But it also has a built-in implantable defibrillator (ICD).

In the CRT-D device, the defibrillator can treat dangerously fast abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). Fast arrhythmias, like ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF), put people at risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). If not treated immediately with defibrillation, SCA can result in sudden cardiac death (SCD). And in people with heart failure, SCD occurs at 6-9 times the rate of the general population.

Many people benefit from a CRT device because it helps relieve symptoms of heart failure. However, the device is not effective for everyone with heart failure.