Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy (CRT)

Cardiac resynchronisation therapy requires a minor surgical procedure to implant the device in your chest and its leads delivered to the heart muscles. The patient will receive general sedation and local anesthetic to the chest wall region where the device is to be implanted. The procedure typically takes a few hours and is similar to a pacemaker implantation. During surgery, a small incision is made in the skin under the collarbone and insulated wires are placed into a major vein. One end of the wire is secured to the heart, while the other end is attached to the device.

Risks of the procedure is generally low at 1-2%, which includes complications of heart attack, bleeding, infection, stroke, injuries to surrounding structures in the chest needing emergency intervention, and death.

The patient will usually stay overnight in the hospital after the surgery. Chest X-ray will be done to check the position of the device and leads and to look for complications. Device check will be done on the following day before the patient is discharged.