Factors Your Doctor May Consider – Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy

Your doctor may use the following criteria to determine if you are a potential candidate for cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT):

• You have ventricular dysynchrony. That means the two lower chambers of your heart are not beating together and are unable to pump blood to the body effectively.
• Your medications are at the maximum dosage, but do not adequately treat your symptoms, and you continue to have a poor quality of life.
• Your heart failure has been classified by your doctor as Class II, III or IV.
• You have an ejection fraction that is less than or equal to 35% (ejection fraction is the percentage of blood pumped out of your heart with each beat).
• Your heart's electrical activity as measured through "QRS duration" is prolonged.

Ask your doctor if you are a candidate for a CRT heart device.

Next: Your Healthcare Team

Your Healthcare Team

Several types of doctors specialise in caring for people with heart failure. A good first step is to see your primary care doctor or GP. Continue to work with your doctor to manage all aspects of your total healthcare.

He or she may advise you to see one or more of these specialists to manage your heart condition:

Heart Specialists

• Cardiologist
• Electrophysiologist (EP) or heart rhythm specialist
• Echocardiologist
• Heart failure specialist

Other Healthcare Professionals Who May Be Involved in Your Care

• Cardiovascular nurse
• Operating room nurse
• Catheter (cath) lab/electrophysiology (EP) lab nurse
• Follow-up nurse
• Cardiovascular technician

Your specialist will typically send back full reports to your primary care doctor, who knows your entire medical history and is a key partner in the long-term management of your heart condition.

Next: Surgery: What to Expect

Surgery: What to Expect – Implanting a Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy Device