CRT success rate

CRT-D (Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy-defibrillator)

by Gemita - 2020-10-21 13:56:49

Hello Sandoval,

I attend St. Thomas' Hospital, London.

I am assuming (since you have not given any history) that you need a CRT-D for a low ejection fraction and/or serious arrhythmia?  The CRT (cardiac resynchronization therapy) will help to restore a more natural function between the left and the right ventricle to restore synchrony and hopefully to improve your symptoms and ejection fraction.  I wouldn't worry about percentages at this time.  Each patient's response to treatment will be different, depending on their health condition(s), their medication, their age. 

Your doctors must feel that you would benefit from this therapy, otherwise they would not offer it.  If it doesnt help as much as you might wish, it will not be taken out.  That is not the way it works with our devices.  They are selected according to our lifestyle, to our health needs, to the device manufacturer used by the hospital.  But once in place, we keep it.   If our symptoms are not controlled by our CRT-D, our doctors may use medication to provide a better level of support and to help alleviate our symptoms.

As you have had an ablation, I presume you have some sort of arrhythmia which might be helped by CRT pacing.  Other members can tell you what is involved in implantation of a CRT-D device.  My EP mentioned that CRT can be very effective in improving symptoms of heart failure.  I hope it will prove to be helpful for you, whatever your need

CRT-D

by Selwyn - 2020-10-21 14:16:21

It would not be worth while to your well being to try to remove the device and its leads ( or remove the device and leave the leads).

At the end of the day you have a defibrillator fitted to you, so there may be some life saving benefit even if the cardiac resynch. therapy is not improving your hearts pumping.  The vast majority of patients benefit from CRT-D ( cost about £15,000 and a further £15,000 for the life span of the device monitoring- thank the NHS!.  I am sure you are worth it! ) 

You have a very good chance of improved exercise tolerance and energy with the device and some reassurance against a fatal arrhythmia.

What is success

by Tracey_E - 2020-10-21 18:04:53

Ideally, with a CRT you would like to see EF come up and you feel better. If it does not come up, it is still helpful. The D is the defibrillator, which will save your life if you go into a dangerous rhythm. That's the insurance policy you hope you never use but it only takes firing once to save your life. It will keep the left and right ventricles in sync, which is good for the heart. It won't let your rate get too low. It does a lot more than bring up EF. 

What if

by ROBO Pop - 2020-10-21 18:13:22

Actually the studies I read in medical journals didn't rate the benefits that highly. Primarily the study concluded CRT's were being implanted far more often than justified and patienys did not benefit. Still, when it works it's a God send for patients. 

I'm one who all indicators said I should benefit, ie QRS delay about a week long, but it's actually caused more problems than anything for me. Knowing what I do, I'd have tried it anyway. 

This procedure is not to be taken lightly and there are definite risks associated. You need to talk openly and bluntly with your Cardiologist then YOU DECIDE what is best path for you. Make certain you know and understand the pros and cons thoroughly. It's your life.

As for what will happen should you not benefit, well it'll be left in and the defibrillator will function as a safety device for sudden cardiac death. I assure you they will not remove it just because... 

Good luck in your decision.