Cardiac resynchronisation therapy is used in patients in whom the pump function of the heart is severely diminished and they have heart failure.
The basic principle is to use a pacemaker with an extra wire in the heart to adjust the timing of the heart contraction (resynchronisation) and improve heart function.
In a significant number of patients this type of pacemaker is combined with a defibrillator (ICD). The process of implanting this device is the same as for an ICD or pacemaker except that an extra wire is inserted. The procedure is also undertaken with local anaesthetic and sedation.
