|
Biventricular pacing, also known as cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), is designed to treat the delay in
ventricle contractions. It can pace both right and left ventricles so they are synchronized and contract together.
Much like dual chamber pacemakers which use two lead wires that are implanted through the Superior Vena Cava
into the right atrium and on to the right ventricle. The biventricular pacemaker travels the same route,
only it adds a third lead wire to pace the left ventricle. The trick was to find a way to get it over there.
Now using a very clever technique, the third lead wire is inserted through the coronary sinus vein and into
the left ventricle making it possible to pace both ventricles. By using cardiac resynchronization therapy,
the ventricles work together and improve cardiac output (ejection fraction). Biventricular pacemakers improve
the symptoms of heart failure in about 50% of people that have been treated with medications but still have
severe or moderately severe heart failure symptoms.
|
