Secretary for Spire Hospitals:
Amanda Rangassamy
Phone: 07875 700542
Email: amandarangssamy@gmail.com
Secretary for Nuffield Hospital:
Jyoti Mistry
Phone: 0116 274 3800
Email: jyoti.mistry@nuffieldhealth.com
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Leicester
What is CRT and how can it help your heart?
Cardiac resynchronization therapy or CRT is a specialised form of a pacemaker (CRT-P) or defibrillator (CRT-D) that allows improvement in heart function and alleviation of symptoms for patients with heart failure. This is a procedure that is done under local anaesthesia where 2-3 wires are inserted into the heart under Xray guidance. Typically patients who benefit from this procedure have a more severe form of heart failure and have ECG changes known as Left Bundle Branch Block. This device used in combination with drug therapy for heart failure produces excellent outcomes for patients.
This intervention entails the insertion of a pacemaker roughly the size of a half-dollar coin, typically positioned just beneath the collarbone. Three wires (leads) extending from the device monitor heart activity, identifying irregularities in heart rate and administering minuscule electrical impulses to rectify them, thereby synchronizing the heart's rhythm.
Benefits of CRT
Because CRT improves the heart’s efficiency and increases blood flow, patients have reported alleviations of some heart failure symptoms, such as shortness of breath. While researchers are still working to fully understand the benefits of CRT, clinical studies suggest decreases in hospitalization and morbidity as well as improvements in quality of life.
Who is a candidate for CRT?
Typically, CRT is recommended for individuals diagnosed with heart failure exhibiting moderate to severe symptoms, particularly when the left and right heart chambers fail to synchronise their contractions. Nonetheless, CRT may not yield desired outcomes for individuals experiencing:
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Mild symptoms of heart failure.
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Diastolic heart failure.
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Synchronised heart chamber contractions.
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Dementia.
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Advanced malignancies necessitating palliative care.
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Chronic ailments with a prognosis of less than a year.
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Acute decompensated heart failure.
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Ongoing infections or sepsis.
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Coagulation disorders.
Additionally, it is unsuitable for patients who haven't explored medication therapies to address their condition comprehensively. Research indicates that CRT demonstrates comparable efficacy across genders.
Consulting your healthcare provider is crucial to assess your eligibility for CRT. They will evaluate factors such as medical history, age, and the desired level of intervention. CRT is often integrated with other therapeutic approaches for optimized outcomes.