Conditions Category: CRT DEVICES
My perspective of having gone through this?
My name is Lorna and I am one of the patient educators at the Pumping Marvellous Foundation and I have written this to help you understand why I would recommend you to consider this type of therapy if offered. I know it can be very scary being told that you need a device implanted. You […]
Will people be able to see it?
You will have a small scar on your chest area which will usually fade to a thin line but this may be more obvious for women as it may be visible if wearing a lower cut top. Depending on body composition there may be a slight lump under the skin but for most people it […]
So what do I need to be aware of?
Some electrical devices may interfere with your device and should be avoided. You should be given a booklet from your device manufacturer with a list of things to avoid. It is important you avoid magnets near the device including MRI scanners and airport security scanners. You should receive a card which you can present to […]
What’s it like to live with a CRT device?
Although a CRT-P is no bigger than a matchbox a CRT-D is slightly larger they are getting smaller as newer models come out. They are comfortable and you will get used to it in a relatively short while after surgery. Some of the new devices attach to a remote home monitoring system whereby information is […]
So what’s it like to have one put in?
You will be sedated to make you feel comfortable. The surgery is generally carried out using local anaesthetic. An incision is made in your upper chest area. The leads are very thin and are pushed through a vein and into your heart. Once the two leads are inserted into the two top chambers (atria) the […]
So who gets one?
If your condition is not improving whilst you are on medication then your cardiologist may recommend having a CRT-D or a CRT-P. There are many reasons why you may be fitted with a CRT-P or CRT-D but it will always be to improve your heart function. If you are at risk of developing an abnormal […]
A CRT-D device
The image is that of a CRT-D device. Notice the 3 leads on the top. They are marked RA (Right atrial) LV (left ventricle) and RV (right ventricle). Image provided courtesy of Boston Scientific. © 2015 Boston Scientific Corporation or its affiliates. All rights reserved” WHATS THE DIFFERENCE? CRT-P Helps resynchronise the heart function, makes […]
Single / Dual Chamber Pacemakers
It is important not to get confused between CRT devices and single or dual chamber pacemakers which have one or two leads and send an electrical impulse so the heart beats at a normal rate, however if the heart muscle is not working properly like in heart failure then this is not the optimum treatment.
So what is Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy also known as CRT-P / CRT-D
This page deals with CRT devices CRT-P, CRT-D and ICD CRT stands for Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy, the “D” for defibrillator and the “P” for pacing. Often when people have heart failure their heart is weak and may be damaged in places. This means that the heart does not beat effectively and the electrical system may […]