Introduction
Heart failure is an increasing problem all over the world. Despite recent advances in cardiovascular therapy and treatment modalities, approximately 5,50,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. Of them, around 2,87,000 patients succumb to death. Irregular heart rhythms or arrhythmias can be induced due to various underlying cardiovascular events.
Factors that support arrhythmia include stress, age, medications, genes, and heart damage. Cardiac resynchronization therapy improves the rhythm and heartbeat in such compromised cases. This therapy first came into the picture in the 1990s and since then, has drastically changed the outlook of patients with congestive heart failure.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy restores the mechanical symphony of the heart by activating the heart through electrical means. Additionally, hearts that have failed can also be gotten back to improve their rhythm and function with the help of cardiac resynchronization therapy. The main reason to undergo cardiac resynchronization therapy is to alleviate symptoms of heart failure that are different in varying patients.
Who Is Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy For??
Cardiac resynchronization therapy has shown beyond doubt that it elevates the patient's cardiovascular functions and reduces heart failure symptoms. It increases the heart's capacity, thus helping the patient resume the day-to-day routine. Cardiac resynchronization therapy is suitable for patients with varying cardiac failure levels. It is also meant for patients whose different heart chambers do not work in unison. Patients with mild heart failure are not the candidate of choice who should receive cardiac resynchronization therapy. Patients with diastolic heart failure or those with no issues of different heart chambers not working in union are also included in this category of not receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy. Patients with underlying cardiovascular diseases who have never been treated for the same through therapy or drugs must not directly get into cardiac resynchronization therapy.
What Is a Cardiac Synchronization Therapy Device?
Cardiac synchronization therapy, or CRT, has shown clinical improvement in patients with heart failure. It is a proven treatment choice for such patients. The device used for cardiac synchronization therapy transmits a minute amount of electrical impulse to both the ventricular chambers of the heart. The heart is sectioned into four parts, two upper chambers called the atrium, and two lower chambers called ventricles. This transmitted impulse assists the lower chambers of the heart to beat simultaneously in a much more coinciding and synchronized manner. It is believed and proven that this stimulated configuration and synchroneity can enhance the heart’s capacity to pump and transport required blood and oxygen to the entire body.
What Are the Parts of a Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Device?
Cardiac resynchronization therapy has proven to decrease the rate of mortality and events of heart failure. A cardiac synchronization therapy device consists of two main sections: the computer and the leads.
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The computer for cardiac synchronized therapy is tiny in size and comes along with a battery. This is referred to as the heart device. This heart device contains miniature titanium-cased metals which are approximately the same size as that of a pocket watch.
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The leads of a cardiac synchronization device are implanted to one’s heart. These are insulated wires whose primary work is to transfer inputs of information signals from the human heart to the heart device or the device’s computer. It also has another vital role in transporting electrical impulses to the human heart.
Once the cardiac synchronization device is inserted and put in place, an extrinsic computer which is positioned at the healthcare professional set up or the hospital or clinic where the therapy is taking place, is made use of to arrange the heart device with the help of programming. This external computer is referred to as a programmer. This programmer recovers the details and statistics from the heart device. This recovered information assists the healthcare professional and team in treating heart failure. The doctor schedules repeated monitoring and evaluation of the current heart condition.
Are There Different Types of Cardiac Resynchronization Devices?
Currently, there are two kinds of cardiac synchronization devices. They are the following:
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Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Pacemaker or CRT-P
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Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Defibrillator or CRT-D
Either of these is indicated based on the condition and severity of the ongoing cardiac failure.
What Are the Guidelines Followed for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy?
The AHA or American Heart Association guidelines represent the categories that are indicative of using cardiac resynchronization therapy on patients with varying levels of heart failure. The categorized guidelines are mentioned as follows:
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Indicated or Class 1- Cardiac resynchronization therapy is suggested since they show symptoms even after medical treatment.
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Reasonable or Class 2a - Cardiac resynchronization therapy may be considered for patients who are already under medical treatment.
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May be considered, or Class 2b - Cardiac resynchronization therapy may be regarded alongside ongoing implantation.
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Not indicated or Class 3 - Cardiac resynchronization therapy is not considered since the patient is asymptomatic and has a chronic non-cardiac condition.
What Are the Risks of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy?
The associated risks of this therapy are minimal. Rarely there occurs an infection at the surgery site or a failure of the device. There are certain limitations post-therapy that are related to magnetic fields, radiations, gas-powered appliances, etc.; your healthcare provider will establish the dos and don'ts post-therapy.
Conclusion
Cardiac resynchronization therapy benefits patients with congestive heart failure and has evidently improved patient life quality. There is yet a large number of patients who have not been acquainted with cardiac resynchronization therapy and are undergoing medication therapy to cure congestive heart failure. Identification of patients who must receive cardiac resynchronization therapy is essential. Only then will the therapy show its full potential. Patients also have the option to continue their cardiovascular medications if necessary and if suggested by the physician. By undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy, it is predicted that the outcome is positive in the long run.
