Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy (CRT) - A New Pacemaker Technique To Treat Slow Heart Rate And Heart Failure

Mar 23 , 2022 | 1 min read

A pacemaker is a small electronic device implanted to prevent slow Heart rate by giving electrical impulses to Heart muscles. Conventionally, pacemaker wires attach directly to the Heart muscle and produce the contraction by stimulating the muscle. Over a period of time, it has a tendency to make the Heart muscle weak resulting in Heart failure, a condition in which the pumping capacity of the Heart is low and Heart chambers are enlarged.

Recent advancements in technology make it possible to connect pacemaker wire directly to the Heart's natural electrical fibers and naturally conduct electricity. It makes the Heart muscle contract naturally. It prevents Heart muscle fatigue and Heart failure.

Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy (CRT) uses a specially designed pacemaker to treat patients who are already suffering from Heart failure. In CRT, electrical impulses are given to different Heart chambers and coordinate muscle contraction to improve pumping function. Max Hospital, Vaishali, is amongst the few centres having expertise in this technique.

A 58-year-old woman presented at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali, with a pumping function of 20%. She was unable to perform regular activities and was breathless even at rest. After medical stabilisation, a CRT pacemaker was implanted in the patient using the Left bundle pacing technique.

A remarkable improvement was observed in the symptoms of the patient. She was able to do her routine activities without breathlessness. Her Heart pumping function improved to 30% after a month.

According to Dr. Amit Malik, Associate Director and Coordinator - Interventional Cardiology, Electrophysiology, Max Hospital, Vaishali, "HIS-Bundle or Left bundle pacing is technically challenging, but has remarkable benefits as it provides coordinated and natural Heart muscle contraction, and better long-term outcome."