The Road to Successful CRT System Implantation

Cardiac resynchronization therapy is a new therapy for advanced heart failure patients. This therapy has been shown to improve quality of life, exercise capacity, NYHA classification, and even reverse the detrimental «reverse remodeling» that occurs in advanced heart failure – in patients already receiving optimal pharmacological therapy. The typical patient has NYHA III/IV HF symptoms, a QRS > 120 ms, LVEDD > 55 mm, without any indication required for pacing. The therapy is available in an ICD device, too. CRT has been shown to be effective in patients with both ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. The implant procedure is part of a learning curve. Many physicians w…